
Gass. 



Book. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 







GUIDE TO HEA- 

OR vfe-^*^. /sd&~i 

BOTANIC FAMILY FHYSICIAN. 

CONTAINING 

A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF PRACTICE, 

ON A PLAN ENTIRELY NEW : 

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLES MADE 

USE OF, AND DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND 

ADMINISTERING THEM, TO CURE DISEASE. 

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, 
OF THE 

LIFE AJVD MEDICAL DISCOVERIES 

OF THE AUTHOR. 



BIT SAMUEL THOMSON. 




BOSTON: 

Printed for the Author, and sold by his General*Age»t, at 

the Office of the Boston Investigator. 

J. Q. Adams, Printer 

1835. 



3s * 



•V v .'> f ■% •> 



3k .♦ - -» 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1835, by Samuel Thomson, in the Clerk's Office of 
the District Court of Massachusetts. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



TO THE PUBLIC- 

The preparing the following work for the press, has 
been a task of much difficulty and labor, for to com- 
prise in a short compass, and to convey a correct under- 
standing of the subject, from such a mass of materials 
as I have been enabled to. collect, by thirty years prac- 
tice, is a business of no small magnitude. The plan 
that has been adopted I thought the best to give a cor- 
rect knowledge of my system of practice; and am con- 
fident that the descriptions and directions are sufficiently 
explained to be understood by all those who take an 
interest in this important subject. Much more might 
have been written; but the main object has been to 
confine it to the practice, and nothing more is stated of 
the theory than what was necessary to give a general 
knowledge of the system. If any errors should be dis- 
covered, it is hoped that they will be viewed with can- 
dor; for in first publishing a work, such things are to be 
expected ; but much care has been taken that there should 
be no error, which would cause any mistake in the prac- 
tice, or preparing the medicine, 



4 ADVERTISEMENT. 

Many persons are practising by my system, who are 
in the habit of pretending that they have made great im- 
provements, and in some instances it is well known that 
poisonous drugs have been made use of under the name 
of my medicine, which has counteracted its operation, 
and thereby tended to destroy the confidence of the pub- 
lic in my system of practice; this has never been author- 
ized by me. The public are therefore cautioned against 
such conduct, and all those who are well disposed to- 
wards my system, are desired to lend their aid in expos- 
ing all such dishonest practices, in order that justice may 
be done. Those who possess this work, may, by exam- 
ining it, be able to detect any improper deviations there- 
from; and they are assured that any practice which is 
not conformable to the directions given, and does not 
agree with the principles herein laid down, is unauthor- 
ized by me. 

N.B. The work has undergone several revisions, as 
well as passed through several editions, since it was first 
published; but as the copy-right has been now renewed, 
(in 1835,) the number of the former editions is not re- 
garded. 



preface; 



WRITTEN BY A FRIEND, 

There is no subject in which the great family of man- 
kind have a deeper interest, than that of medicine; to 
lessen the sum of human suffering by alleviating pain, 
and removing those diseases that all are subject to, is a 
duty of the greatest importance of any undertaking that 
man can engage in. Health is the greatest blessing 
that can be enjoyed in this life; and to be deprived of 
it, takes away all our pleasures and comforts, and makes 
every thing in this world appear a dreary waste. This 
will readily be admitted by every one; but in what man- 
ner disorder can best be removed or prevented, is a sub- 
ject that has engaged the attention of many wise men, 
who have existed in different ages, from the earliest 
times to the present day, without, as we humbly con- 
ceive, very much benefitting mankind by their labors. 
Their inquiries, it would seem, have been directed to 
the investigation of visionary theories, of the form and 
curious construction of the body and members, upon 
mechanical principles; to the neglect of what is of the 
greatest importance, a correct and useful practice by a 
direct application to the cause of disease. This is like 
pursuing a shadow, and losing sight of the substance ; 
for there are certain causes and effects in the works of 
creation, that are beyond the comprehension of man, and 
the general principles of animated nature are as correct- 
ly known by the whole human family, as by the most 
wise and learned. 

In the different ages of the world, the medical faculty 
have been very prolific in forming systems of the theory 
and practice of medicine. One man builds up a system 
1* 



t> PREFACE. 

for another that comes after him, to pull down, who 
erects one of his own, which is followed for a time, and 
is then supplanted by another. They have gone on in 
this way, almost every age producing a new system, to 
the present time; each one pronounces the other to be 
wrong, they certainly cannot all be right, and the most 
natural conclusion is, that they are all wrong; for no 
good has resulted from all they have done, but on the 
contrary, it has tended to produce much confusion and 
doubt, in the minds of all who seek to gain a correct 
knowledge of the subject. The best evidence of this, 
is the bad success that has attended the regular faculty 
in all their practice, for they do not pretend to a knowl- 
edge of a certain remedy for any case of disease; and 
it is readily admitted by the most distinguished men in 
the profession, that there is no art or science, so little 
understood and miserably conducted, as that of medi- 
cine. 

The way to become a fashionable doctor at the present 
day, is to spend three or four years in what they call 
reading physic, when they receive a degree and a di- 
ploma from some medical society. This time is spent 
in learning the Latin names of the different preparations 
of medicine, according to the plan adopted by the fac- 
ulty, as also of the different parts of the human body, 
with the names, colors and symptoms of all kinds of 
disease, divided and subdivided into as many classes and 
forms as language can be found to express; and suffi- 
cient knowledge of the nature of medicine to know how 
much poison can be given without Causing immediate 
death. With these qualifications and a little self-impor- 
tance, they commence their medical career, as ignorant 
of what is really useful in curing disease, as though they 
had been shut up in a cloister all the time. Their heads 
are filled with the theory, but all that is most important 
in the removal of disorder, they have to learn by prac- 
tice, which can never be learned in any other way. 
Those patients who are so unfortunate as to come under 
their care, become subjects for them to learn upon, and 
have to suffer from their experiments. After pursuing 
this course for many years, they begin to learn that their 
practice has been wrong; and it is a fact well known, 



PREFACE. 7 

that all our old and most experienced physicians, who 
have become distinguished in the profession, make use 
of but very little medicine, prescribing principally sim- 
ples, with directions how they may cure themselves; the 
greater part of their patients are such as have been run 
down, and had their constitutions destroyed by the im- 
proper treatment they have received from the young and 
inexperienced part of the faculty. 

This picture may be considered by some as highly 
colored; but if prejudice is laid aside, and viewed with 
candor, it will be found not to be far from the truth. 
There are, no doubt, many exceptions among the prac- 
tising physicians; but their manner of treating disease 
by bleeding and blistering, and administering mercury, 
arsenic, nitre, antimony, opium, &c. is directly opposed 
to nature, and cannot be justified by any principles 
founded on natural causes and effects. Another serious 
difficulty exists, which is, that the people are kept ig- 
norant of every thing of importance in medicine, by 
its being kept in a dead language, for which there can 
be no good reason given. Dr. Buchan has made some 
very good remarks on this subject to show the impro- 
priety of such a practice, and gives it as his opinion, 
that if physicians would write their prescriptions in the 
language of our country, and lay medicine more open 
to the people, much good would result from it. In the 
new Pharmacopoeia, got up lately by the medical socie- 
ties in this country, an entire new arrangement is made, 
and new names adopted, which is to be revised every 
ten years. This will completely keep the people in ig- 
norance of the medicine they use, when prescribed by 
the faculty. 

There cannot be the least doubt but there is medi- 
cine enough grows in our country, to answer all the 
purposes necessary in curing every disease incident to 
the climate, if the people had a knowledge of it; but 
the doctors have so much influence in society, and man- 
age their affairs with so much art, for their own profit 
and praise, that the common people are kept back from 
a knowledge of what is of the utmost importance for 
them to know. If any man undertakes to pursue a 
practice differing from what is sanctioned by the regular 



8 PREFACE. 

faculty, let him show ever so much ingenuity in his dis- 
coveries, or be ever so successful in curing disease, he 
is hunted down like a wild beast; and a hue and cry 
raised against him from one end of the country to the 
other. There must be some reason for all this, more 
than an aim to the public good; for the people are 
certainly capable of judging for themselves, whether 
what is done for them, removes their complaint, or in- 
creases it. It is not unreasonable, we think, to con- 
clude, that it arises from a fear that the craft is in 
danger. 

Nothing could niore fully exemplify the above opinion 
than the treatment which Dr. Thomson has received 
from the medical faculty, during the whole of his prac- 
tice. He has been persecuted and pursued with all the 
malice of demons, for no other cause that can be im- 
agined, than because of his extraordinary success in 
curing disease, which has tended to enlighten the peo- 
ple, and do away their blind confidence in the infallibil- 
ity of doctors. This opposition has not been from the 
people at large, for all who have been attended by him, 
and those who have had a correct knowledge ©f his sys- 
tem of practice, are not only well satisfied, but are tho- 
roughly convinced of its superiority over the practice of 
the doctors; and some of the faculty who have examined 
the subject, allow the discovery to be original and inge- 
nious, and that the principles upon which it is founded, 
are correct. Tf the physicians generally had, instead of 
trying to destroy him and his practice, inquired into and 
made themselves acquainted with his improvements, and 
treated him with that courtesy due to every ingenious 
man, who devotes himself to the advancement of the arts 
and sciences, they would have received much useful in- 
formation on one of the most important branches of the 
medical art, that is, of the medicinal virtues of the vege- 
tables of this country, with the best method of preparing 
and administering them to cure disease; but they seem 
to consider every thing relating to the subject as a sort 
of holy ground, on which no one has a right to tread, 
but the regularly initiated. 

Dr. Thomson began his practice as it were from ac- 
cident, with no other view than an honest endeavor to 



PREFACE 9 

be useful to his fellow creatures; and had nothing to 
guide him but his own experience. He not having had 
an education, has received no advantages from reading 
books, which left his mind unshackled by the visionary 
theories and opinions of others; his whole studies have 
been in the great book of nature, and his conclusions 
have all been drawn from that unerring guide; by this 
he was enabled to form correct opinions of the fitness of 
things. His first inquiry was to know of what all animal 
bodies were formed, and then to ascertain what caused 
disease. After being satisfied on this head, the next 
thing was to find what medicine was the best calculated 
to remove disease and restore healthy For this he look- 
ed into the vegetable kingdom, where he found a large 
field for contemplation, and for the exercise of his in- 
quiring mind. Here, by an invention of his own, that 
Qf ascertaining the qualities and power of vegetables by 
their taste, he was enabled at all times to find something 

to rmawrvr tho do<?!icd f/urpaao; hi« apothecary's shop 

was the woods and the fields. 

In his practice, it has always been his first object to 
learn the course pointed out by nature, and has followed 
by administering those things best calculated to aid her 
in restoring health. This is unquestionably the only cor- 
rect course that can be pursued with any chance of suc- 
cess, for all the good that can be expected by giving 
medicine, is to assist nature to remove the disease. The 
success with which his practice has been attended, has 
astonished all who witnessed it, and has led the people 
to wonder how a man without learning could perform 
what could not be done by the learned doctors; this is 
not strange, for people most generally form their opin- 
ions by what is fashionable, without examining into the 
nature of things. A man can be great without the ad- 
vantages of an education; but learning can never make 
a wise man of a fool; the practice of physic requires a 
knowledge that cannot be got by reading books; it must 
be obtained by actual observation and experience. 

It is very common with the doctors, to call all those 
who practise, and have not been regularly educated to 
the profession, quacks, and empirics. The definition of 



10 PREFACE. 

the word quack, is an ignorant pretender; and those who 
are entitled to this appellation, are best known by the 
knowledge they possess in their profession, and the suc- 
cess with which they pursue it; and there may be pro- 
bably more ignorant pretenders found among those who 
have received a diploma, than in any other class. An 
empiric is one who is governed in his practice by his own 
experimental knowledge; and Dr. Thomson can have no 
reasonable objection to be honored by this title, for there 
is nothing valuable in the whole range of the medical 
science, but what has been derived from this source. In 
ancient times the man who could discover any thing that 
proved to be useful in curing disease, was entitled to 
honorable notice, and a reward for his ingenuity, with- 
out regarding whether he was learned or unlearned. In 
this way, the faculty have obtained all their knowledge 
of vegetable medicine, and if they had confined them- 
selves to this, it would have been much better for the 
people, than to make use of tho«p poisonous minerals, 
which have been the production of the learned, and is 
the only addition they have been able to make to the 
Materia Mediea. 

In the following work, Dr. Thomson has endeavored 
to embody in a small compass, and to convey to the pub- 
lic, in as plain and simple terms as he was capable, a 
correct knowledge of his system of practice, with his 
manner of treating disease, together with a description 
of all the vegetable productions of our own country that 
he has found to be useful in curing disorder, and the 
best manner of preparing and administering them. It 
will be found of the greatest importance to the people; 
being the result of thirty years constant practice, in at- 
tending on all kinds of disease common in this country. 
It offers to the public an opportunity to make themselves 
sufficiently acquainted with the subject, to enable every 
one who avails himself of it, to become his own physician, 
with a trifling expense. 

To introduce a new system of medical practice, and 
to make an entire change of the public opinion, on so 
important a subject, is an undertaking of too great mag- 
nitude to be effected without much difficulty; let its 
superiority over all others be ever so great; for who- 



PREFACE. 11 

ever undertakes it, must expect to have to contend 
against the interest of a large class of the community, 
and the prejudices of the whole. That Dr. Thomson 
has been able to effect so much, is more surprising, 
than that he has not done more, for he has labored 
under many difficulties, besides being opposed by a pow- 
erful combination, whose interest it is to keep the people 
back from adopting his practice. He has been obliged 
to satisfy the people of what is for their interest, as well 
as for their peace and happiness, against their own in- 
clinations; and has pursued his own plan with wonder- 
ful perseverance, and with an honest and determined 
zeal, to do what he thought to be his duty. He seems 
to have had in view more the public good than his own 
interest, for his whole plan has been to give information 
to the people, as well as to relieve them from disease; 
and to put it in their power to cufe themselves and fam- 
ilies in all cases of sickness, without being under the 
necessity of employing a doctor. In pursuing this ob- 
ject, he has spent the best part of his days, and has re- 
ceived but very small compensation for all his labors; 
the pecuniary benefit that he has realised for his practice 
and rights sold, would be no temptation to any one to un- 
dergo the hundredth part of what he has suffered from 
persecution. 

Notwithstanding all the difficulties Dr. Thomson has 
met with, and all the opposition he has had to contend 
against, his system is made use of by the people gener- 
ally, in many places, and it is fast spreading in all parts 
of the United States. Wherever the people become ac- 
quainted with it they universally adopt it, and consider 
it of the greatest value; so much so, that there are hun- 
dreds who would not be deprived of the information they 
have received, for any sum of money whatever. In 
several towns, large societies have been formed of those- 
who have purchased the rights, and who obligate them- 
selves to assist each other in cases of sickness; where 
this has been the case, great benefit has been derived 
and the success of the practice has been complete. 
This seems to be the best plan for introducing a correct 
knowledge of the system and practice among the people, 
and putting it in their power to derive the most advan- 



12 PREFACE* 

tage from its use; and if a few of those men who have 
the most influence in society, would examine into the 
subject with impartiality, they would readily be convinc- 
ed of its superior uselulness, and by taking an interest 
in diffusing a knowledge of the practice among the peo- 
ple, they would conier a greater benefit on mankind, 
than by any charitable act they could perform. 

There has been one great obstacle in the way of a 
general extension of a knowledge of the practice, for 
the want of some means to convey correct information 
how to prepare and administer the medicine, with the 
best manner of treatment in curing disease; and also to 
prevent all who adopt this system of practice, from being 
imposed upon by those who pretend to make use of it 
without a proper knowledge of the subject; for there 
are quacks under this system as well as others. This 
is obviated by the following work, in which, it is thought, 
will be found sufficient explanations and directions to 
enable any one who pays strict attention to them, to 
make use of the practice with safety and success. 



NARRATIVE 

OF THE 

X.IFE, &c. OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 



THERE is nothing, perhaps, more unpleasant than 
to write one's own life; for in doing it we are obliged to 
pass over again, as it were, many scenes, which we 
might wish to have forgotten, and relate many particulars, 
which, though they may seem very important to our- 
selves, yet would be very uninteresting to the reader. 
It is not my intention to attempt *o write a history of my 
life, nor would it be in my power to do it if I had such a 
wish; but as I have been the greater part of my life en- 
gaged in one of the most important pursuits, and which 
is of more consequence to the great human family, than 
any other that co^ld be undertaken by man; that of al- 
leviating humsn misery, by curing all cases of disease 
by the most simple, safe, and certain method of practice, 
I think the public will be interested to know something 
of me, and the reason of my having taken upon myself 
so important a calling, without being regularly educated 
to the profession, which is thought by the world to be in- 
dispensably necessary; but I shall take the liberty to 
disagree a little with them in this particular ; for, although 
learning may be a great advantage in acquiring a pro- 
fession, yet that alone will never make a great man, 
where there is no natural gift. 

By giving a short sketch of the early part of my exist- 
ence, and relating those accidental circumstances that 
have occurred during my life, and which were princi- 
pally the cause of my engaging in the healing art, will 
•enable the public to judge more correctly, whether I 
2 



14 Narrative of the Life, fyc* 

have taken that course, in fulfilling my duty in this life, 
which the God of nature hath pointed out for me. In 
doing this, I shall endeavor to give a plain and simple 
narrative of facts as they took place, and relate only 
those particulars of my life, with such of the cases that 
have come under my care, as will best convey to the 
reader, the most correct information of my system of 
practice in curing disease. 

I was born February 9, 1769, in the town of Alstead, 
county of Cheshire, and State of New Hampshire. My 
father, John Thomson, was born in Northbridge, county 
of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts; he was 
twenty-five years old when I was born. My mother's 
name was Hannah Cobb; she was born in Medway, 
Mass., and Was four years older than my father. I had 
one sister older than myself, and three brothers and one 
sister younger, who are all living except my second 
brother, who died in his fourteenth year. My oldest 
sister married Samuel Hills, and lives in Surry, New 
Hampshire, and my two brothers live in Jericho, Ver- 
mont. My youngest sister married Waters Mather, and 
lives in the State of Ohio. 

That country was a wilderness when I was born; my 
father had began there about a year before, at which 
time there was no house within thre& miles one way, 
and about one the other; there were noYoads, and they 
had to go by marked trees. The snow w^s very deep 
when they moved there, and my mother had to travel 
over a mile on snow shoes through the woods to get to 
their habitation. My parents were poor, having nothing 
to begin the world with; but had to depend upon their 
labor for support. My father had bought a piece of wild 
land on credit, and had to pay for it by his labor in what 
he could make off the land, which caused us great hard- 
ships and deprivations for a long time. 

As soon as I began to form any correct ideas of things, 
my mind was much irritated by the impressions made on 
it by my parents, who, no doubt with very good inten- 
tions, filled my young head with all kinds of hob-goblin 
and witch-stories, which made a very deep impression 
on my mind, and which were not entirely eradicated for 
many years* I mention this as a caution to parents, not 



Of Samuel Thomson. 15 

to tell their children any thing but the truth; for young 
children naturally believe whatever their parents tell 
them, and when they frighten them with such stories, 
for the purpose of making them behave well, it will 
most generally have a very bad effect; for when they 
arrive at years of discretion, and find that all those sto- 
ries are falsehoods, they will naturally form very unfa- 
vorable opinions of their parents, whose duty it is to set 
them better examples. 

My father and mother were of the Baptist persuasion, 
and were very strict in their religious duties. They at- 
tended meeting every Sabbath, and my father prayed 
night and morning in his family. One day they went to 
meeting, and left me and my sister at home alone, and 
told us that if we were wicked they should send the bear 
or the knocker to carry us off. While they were absent 
I was at play, when we heard a hard knocking on the 
outside of the house, which frightened us very much, and 
when they came home I told them what had happened; 
but instead of letting us know what it was, they told us 
it was the knocker they had told us oC, and that or the 
bear would always come, if we were wicked, and did not 
mind and do as they told us. It was several years after 
that my reason taught me that this knocker, as they call- 
ed it, was a wood-pecker that came on the end of the 
house. Parents ought to be careful to impress on the 
minds of young children, correct ideas of things, and 
&ot mislead their understandings by telling them false- 
hoods; for it will be of the greatest importance as re- 
spects their future conduct and pursuits in life. 

When I was between three and four years old, my 
father took me out with' him to work. The first business 
I was set to do was to drive the cows to pasture, and 
watch the geese, with other small chores, which occu- 
pation kept me all day in the fields. I was very curious 
to know the names of all the herbs which I saw grow- 
ing, and what they were good for; and, to satisfy my 
curiosity was constantly making inquiries of the persons 
I happened to be with, for that purpose. All the infor^ 
mation I thus obtained, or by my own observation, I care- 
fully laid up in my memory, and never forgot. There 
was an old lady by the name of Benton lived near us, 



16 NaiTative of the Life, fyc* 

who used to attend our family when there was any sick- 
ness. At that time there was no such thing as a Doctor 
known among us, there not being any within ten miles. 
The whole of her practice was with roots and herbs, ap- 
plied to the patient, or given in hot drinks, to produce 
sweating; which always answered the purpose. When 
one thing did not produce the desired effect, she would 
try something else, till they were relieved. By her 
attention to the family, and the benefits they received 
from her skill, we became very much attached to her; 
and when she used to go out to collect roots and herbs, 
she would take me with her, and learn me their names, 
with what they were good for; and I used to be very 
curious in my inquiries, and in tasting every thing that 
I found. The information I thus obtained at this early 
age, was afterwards of great use to me. 

Sometime in the summer, after I was four years old. 
being out in the fields in search of the cows, I discov- 
ered a plant which had a singular branch and pods, that 
I had never before seen, and I had the curiosity to pick 
some of the pods and chew them ; the taste and opera- 
tion produced was so remarkable, that I never forgot it. 
I afterwards used to induce other boys to chew it, merely 
by way of sport, to see them vomit. I tried this herb 
in this way for nearly twenty years, without knowing 
any thing of its medical virtues. This plant is what I 
have called the Emetic Herb, and is the most important 
article I make use of in my practice. It is very common 
in most parts of this country, and may be prepared and 
used in almost any manner. It is a certain counter poi- 
son, having never been known to fail to counteract the 
effects of the most deadly poison, even when taken 
in large quantities for self-destruction. There is no 
danger to be apprehended from its use, as it is per- 
fectly harmless in its operation, even when a large 
quantity is taken; it operates as an emetic, cleanses 
the stomach from all improper aliment, promotes an in- 
ternal heat, which is immediately felt at the extremi- 
ties, and produces perspiration. The exclusive right 
of using this plant for medical purposes is secured to 
me by patent, and my right to the discovery has never 
been disputed; though the Doctors have done every 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 17 

thing they could to destroy the credit of it, by false 
statements, representing it to be a deadly poison, and 
at the same time they knew to the contrary, for they 
have made use of it themselves for several years, and 
have tried to defraud me of the discovery. I feel per- 
fectly convinced from near forty years experience of 
its medical properties, that the discovery is of incalcu- 
lable importance, and if properly understood by the 
people will be more useful in curing the diseases inci- 
dent to this climate, than the drugs and medicines sold 
by all the apothecaries in the country. 

At five years of age my father put me to hard work, 
and was very strict, using the greatest severity towards 
me. I used to suffer very much from pains in my hips 
and back, being lame from my birth, and the hard work 
made me so stiff, that in the morning it was with diffi- 
culty I could walk. My father's severity towards me 
made me very unhappy; for I was constantly in fear 
lest he should call and I should not hear him, in which 
case, he used to punish me very severely. I continued 
in this situation till I was eight years old, when my 
brothers began to be some help, which took part of the 
burthen off from me. We suffered great hardships and 
lived very poorly; but we always had something to eat, 
and were contented, for we knew of nothing better; a 
dish of bean-porridge and some potatoes, were our con- 
stant fare, and this was better than many others had. 
The greatest part of this winter we had to live in the 
barn. In July my father had got a part of the roof of 
a new house covered, and we moved into it; which was 
more comfortable than the barn. About this time my 
mother was taken sick, and was carried to Mrs. Benton's 
for her to take care of, where she remained for several 
weeks, during which time, by using such means as this 
old lady prescribed, she recovered. At this time I had 
never been to school, or had any chance whatever to 
learn to read. My father kept me constantly at work, 
all week days, and on Sunday I had to go a con- 
siderable distance on foot to meeting, and the rest of 
the day was kept on my feet in hearing him read the 
catechism, creed and prayers, so that I had little time 
to rest on that day. 
2* 



18 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

The winter I was eight years old, I was very sick 
with the canker-rash; but was attended by the widow 
Benton, who cured me by making use of such medicine 
as our country afforded, and I was in a short time able 
to be about. After I had got well, my mind was more 
attentive to the use of roots and herbs as medicine, than 
eyer. I had at that time a very good knowledge of the 
principal roots and herbs to be found in that part of the 
country, with their names and medical uses; and the 
neighbors were in the habit of getting me to go with 
them to show them such roots and herbs as the doctors 
ordered to be made use of in sickness, for syrups, &c. 
and byway of sport they used to call me doctor. While 
in the field at work I used often to find the herb, which 
I tasted when four years old, and gave it to those who 
worked with me, to see them spit and often vomit; but 
I never observed any bad effect produced by it, which 
simple experiments eventually led me to observe the value 
of it in disease. 

When I was about ten years old, there was a school 
a little more than a mile from my father's, where I had 
the opportunity of attending for one month. The 
weather was cold and the going bad, which caused me 
to make very slow progress in my learning; but the 
chance we considered a great privilege, for the country 
was new and people poor, and the opportunity for 
children to get learning very small. I took a great dis- 
like to working on a farm, and never could be recon- 
ciled to it; for nothing could strike me with greater 
dread than to hear the name of a plough, or any other 
thing used on a farm mentioned. This I have always 
attributed to the hardships I underwent, and the severity 
which my father used constantly to exercise towards 
me from the time I was five to ten years old. At that 
time, I used to think that if ever I had any land I would 
not plough it; and if my father's treatment of me was 
the effect of his religion, I never wished to havq any. 
This was when he was under the strongest influence of 
the baptist persuasion, and used to be very zealous in 
his religious duties, praying night and morning, and 
sometimes three times a day. He was a man of violent 



Of Samuel Thomson. 19 

and quick temper, and when in his fits of passion, my 
mother used frequently to remind him of certain parts 
of his prayer; such as this, which I never forgot: 
"May we live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the 
present evil world." She was a woman much respected 
in the town where we lived. 

About the time I was fourteen years old, my father 
left the baptist persuasion and embraced that of uni- 
versal salvation; By grace are ye saved, through faith 
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. If he ever ex- 
perienced a change of heart for the better, it was at 
this time; his love to God and man was great, and 
I had great reason to rejoice, for he was like another 
man in his house. He continued, to enjoy the same 
belief, with much comfort to the time of his death, 
which took place in August, 1820, aged 76. My 
mother remained many years in the full belief of 
the salvation of all men, and continued so till her 
death. 

Sometime during the year that I was sixteen years 
old, I heard my parents say, that as my mind was so 
much taken up with roots and herbs, they thought it 
best to send me to live with a Doctor Fuller, of West- 
moreland, who was called a root doctor. This pleased 
me very much, and in some measure raised my ambi- 
tion; but I was soon after disappointed in my hopes, 
for they said I had not learning enough, and they did 
not know how to spare me from my work, which de- 
pressed my spirits, and was very discouraging to me. I 
now gave up all hopes of going to any other business, 
and tried to reconcile myself to spend my days in work- 
ing on a farm, which made me very unhappy. I had 
little learning, and was awkward and ignorant of the 
world, as my father had never given me any chance to 
go into company, to learn how to behave, which caused 
me great uneasiness. 

In the year 1788, when I was in my nineteenth year, 
my father purchased a piece of land on Onion river, in 
the state of Vermont, and on the 12th day of October, 
he started from Alstead, and took me with him, to go 
to work on the. land and clear up some of it to build a 
house on, as it was all covered with wood. In about 



20 Narrative of the Life, S?c. 

four days after our arrival, we were enabled to clear a 
small spot and to build us a camp to live in; we had to 
do our own cooking and washing ; our fare was poor, 
and we had to work very hard ; but we got along tolera- 
bly well till the 2d of December, when I had the mis- 
fortune to cut my ancle very badly, which accident pre- 
vented me from doing any labor for a long time, and 
almost deprived me of life. The wound was a very bad 
one, as it split the joint and laid the bone entirely bare, 
so as to lose the juices of my ancle joint to such a de- 
gree as to reduce my strength very much. My father 
sent for a Doctor Cole, of Jericho, who ordered sweet 
apple-tree bark to be boiled, and the wound to be wash- 
ed with it, which, caused great pain, and made it much 
worse, so that in eight days my strength was almost ex- 
hausted; the flesh on my leg and thigh was mostly gone, 
and my life was despaired of; the doctor said he could 
do no more for me; my father was greatly alarmed about 
me, and said that if Dr. Kitteridge, of Walpole, could 
be sent for, he thought he might help me; but I told 
him it would be in vain to send for him, for I could 
not live so long as it would take to go after him, 
without some immediate assistance. He said he did not 
know what to do ; I told him that there was one thing I 
had thought of which I wished to have tried, if it could 
be obtained, that I thought would help me. He anxious- 
ly inquired what it was, and I told him if he could find 
some comfrey root, I would try a plaster made of that 
and turpentine. He immediately went to an old place 
that was settled before the war, and had the good luck 
to find some; a plaster was -prepared by my direc- 
tions and applied to my ancle, the side opposite to the 
wound, and had the desired effect; the juices stopped 
running in about six hours r and I was very much 
relieved; though the pain continued to be very severe 
and the inflammation was great; the juices settled 
between the skin and bone, and caused a suppura- 
tion, which broke in about three weeks; during which 
time I did not have three nights sleep, nor did I eat any 
thing. This accidental remedy was found through 
necessity, and was the first time the mother of in- 
vention held forth her hand to me. The success 



Of Samuel Thomson. 21 

which attended this experiment, and the natural turn 
of my mind to those things, I think was a principal 
cause of my continuing to practise the healing art to 
this time. 

Our stock of provisions being now exhausted, and my 
wound somewhat better, my father was very anxious to 
return to Alstead. He asked me if I thought I could 
bear the journey, if he should place me on a bed laid 
in a sled. I answered that I was willing to try. He 
immediately went to work and fixed a sled, and put 
me in it on a straw bed ; and on the first day of Janu- 
ary, 1789, we began our journey. There was very 
little snow, and the road rough, which caused the sled 
to jolt very much, and my sufferings were great. It was 
very doubtful with my father, and likewise with me, 
whether I should live to perform the journey; but we 
proceeded on, however, without any thing important 
happening, except wearing out the runners of our sled, 
and having to make new ones, and accomplished twenty 
miles the first day. At a place where we stopped all 
night, there was a woman whose situation appeared to 
me so much worse than my own, that I felt much en- 
couraged. She had been sick with a fever, and the 
doctor had given so much poisonous medicine, -to break 
the fever, as he called it, she was left in a most misera- 
ble situation. Her side and shoulder were in a putrid 
state, and in full as bad a condition as my ancle. My 
father in dressing my wound had drawn a string through 
between the -heel-cord and bone, and another between 
that and the skin; so that two-thirds of the way round 
my ancle was hollow. 

At a place where we stopped on the third night, a 
circumstance had occurred which, from its novelty, I 
think worth mentioning. A young woman who lived 
in the family had discovered a strong inclination to sleep 
more than what is common; and had expressed a wish 
that they would let her sleep enough once. She went 
to bed on Sunday night, and did not wake again till 
Tuesday morning, having slept thirty-six hours. On 
awaking, she had no idea of having slept more than one 
night; but began to make preparation for washing, as 
was the custom on Mondays, till she was informed that 



22 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

they had washed the day before. Her health was goad 
and she never after that required more sleep than other 
persons. 

When we got on to the high land there was considera- 
ble snow, and we got along much more com&rtably. I 
had to be carried in on the bed and laid by the fire, 
every night during the journey. The people gener- 
ally, where we stopped, treated me with kindness, and 
showed much pity for me in my distressed situation; 
but they all thought that I should not live to get through 
the journey. The doctors had advised to have my leg 
cut off, as the only means of saving my life, and all those 
who saw me during our journey, expressed the same 
opinion; and I think it would have been done had I 
given my consent; but I positively refused to agree to 
it, so the plan was given up. I preferred to take my 
chance with my leg on, to having it taken off: which 
resolution I have never repented of, to this day. 

On arriving in Walpole, my father proceeded imme- 
diately to the house of the famous Dr. Kitteridge, to 
have him dress my wound, and get his opinion of my 
situation; he not being at home, and it being nearly 
dark, we concluded to put up for the night, and I was 
carried in on my bed and laid by the fire. The doctor 
soon came home, and on entering the room where I 
was, cried out in a very rough manner, Who have you 
here ? His wife answered, a sick man. The devil, re- 
plied he, I want no sick man here. I was much terri- 
fied by his coarse manner of speaking, and thought if 
he was so rough in his conversation, what will he be 
when he comes to dress my wound; but I was happily 
disappointed, for he took off the dressing with great 
care, and handled me very tenderly. On seeing the 
strings that were in the wound, he exclaimed, what the 
devil are these halters here for? My father told him 
they were put in to keep the sore open. He said he 
thought the sore open enough now, for it is all rotten. 
Being anxious to know his opinion of me, my father 
asked him what he thought of my situation. What do 
I think? said he, why I think he will die; and then 
looking very pleasantly at me, said, though I think 
young man, you will get well first. In the morning he 



Of Samuel TJiomson. 23, 

dressed my ancle again, and gave me some salve to use 
in future ; and my father asked him for his bill, which 
was, I think, for our keeping and his attending me, 
about fifty cents. A great contrast between this and 
what is charged at the present time by our regular phy- 
sicians; for they will hardly look at a person without 
making them pay two or three dollars. I have been 
more particular in describing this interview with Dr. 
Kitteridge, on account of his extraordinary skill in 
surgery, and the great name he acquired, and justly 
deserved, among the people throughout the country. 
His system of practice was peculiarly his own, and all 
the medicines he used were prepared by himself, from 
the roots and herbs of our own country. He was a 
very eccentric character, and uncouth in his manners ; 
but he possessed a good heart, and a benevolent dis- 
position. He was governed in his practice by that 
great plan which is dictated by nature; and the un- 
common success he met with is evidence enough to 
satisfy any reasonable mind, of the superiority of it 
over what is the practice of those who become doctors 
by reading only, with their poisons and their instruments 
of torture. 

We left Walpole, and arrived at our home about noon, 
and my mother, brothers and sisters, were much re- 
joiced to see me, though grieved at my distressed situa- 
tion; and never was any one more in need of the ten- 
der care of friends than I was at this time. My mother 
proved to me the old saying, that a friend in need is a 
friend indeed. My case was considered doubtful for 
some time. I was from the first of December to the 
first of March unable to walk; but by good nursing and 
constant care, I was enabled in the spring to attend to 
the business at home, so that my father left me in charge 
of the farm, and went with my brother to Onion river, 
again to work on his land. 

On the 9th of February, 1790, I was twenty-one years 
of age, and my father gave me a deed of one half of 
his farm in Alstead, consisting of one hundred and 
twenty-five acres ; and I carried it on for three years, 
and he had the liberty to take such stock as he pleased. 
He then made preparations and removed to Onion river, 



24 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

and left my mother and sister in my care. Soon after I 
took a bad cold, which threw me into a slow fever. In 
the month of March we all had the meazles, and my 
mother had what the doctors called the black kind, and 
was so bad that her life was despaired of. The disease 
turned in and seated on her lungs, and she never recov- 
ered her health. Several doctors attended her without 
doing her any good. Her cough was very severe and 
her mouth was sore, and she was greatly distressed. I 
attended upon her under the direction of the doctors, 
and took the cough, and had much the same symptoms. 
She continued to grow worse daily; the doctors gave 
her over, and gave her disease the name of galloping 
consumption, which I thought was a very appropriate 
name; for they are the riders, and their whip is mer- 
cury, opium and vitriol, and they galloped her out of the 
world in about nine weeks. She died on the 13th day 
of May, 1790. 

I was at this time very low with the same disorder 
that my mother died with, and the doctor often impor- 
tuned me to take some of his medicine ; but I declined 
it, thinking I had rather die a natural death. He tried 
to frighten me by telling me it was the last chance of 
getting help, and he thought he could cure me; but I 
told him I had observed the effect his medicine had on 
my mother, for she constantly grew worse under the ope- 
ration of it, and I had no desire to risk it on myself. I 
have always been of the opinion, that if I had followed 
his advice, I should have been galloped out of the' world 
the same as my mother was; and I have never repented 
of my refusal to tins day. 

After my mother died, I undertook to doctor myself, 
and made some syrups of such things as I had the 
knowledge of, which relieved my cough; and with the 
warm weather, I so far recovered my health, as to be able 
to work some time in June. Being without women's 
help, I was obliged to hire such as I could get, which 
proved a disadvantage to my interest, and I thought it 
would be best to find some person who would take an 
interest in saving my property. On the 7th day of 
July, 1790, I was married to Susan Allen. We were 
both young, and had great hardships to encounter, but we 



Of Samuel Thomson* 25 

got along very well, and both enjoyed good health until 
our first child was born, which was on the fourth day 
of July following. My wife was taken ill on Saturday, 
and sent for help; she lingered along till Sunday night, 
when she became very bad; her situation was danger- 
ous, and she was in hand constantly the whole night, 
until sunrise the next morning, when ^he was delivered; 
but her senses were gone. During the whole night it 
was one continued struggle of forcing nature, which 
produced so great an injury to the nervous system, as to 
cause strong convulsion fits in about an hour after her 
delivery. The witnessing of this horrid scene of hu- 
man butchery, was one great cause of my paying atten- 
tion to midwifery, and my practice has since been very 
successful in it. 

Her fits continued and grew worse ; there were six 
doctors attended her that day, and a seventh was sent 
for; but she grew worse under their care; for one would 
give her medicine, and another said that he did wrong; 
another would bleed her, and the other would say he 
had done wrong; and so on through the whole. I heard 
one of them say that his experience in this case was 
worth fifty dollars. I found that they were trying their 
practice by experiments; and was so dissatisfied with 
their conduct, that at night I told them what I thought; 
and that I had heard them accusing each other of doing 
wrong; but I was convinced that they had all told the 
truth, for they had all done wrong. They all gave her 
over to die, and I dismissed them, having seen enough 
of their conduct to convince me that they were doing 
more hurt than good. 

After they were gone, I sent for Dr. Watts and Dr. 
Fuller, who were called root doctors. They attended 
her through the night, and in the morning about the 
same hour that they began, the fits left her. She had 
in the whole, eighteen of the most shocking convulsion 
fits that had been ever seen by any one present. The 
spasms were so violent that it jarred the whole house. 
After the fits had left her, she was entirely senseless, 
and was raving distracted for three days ; and then be- 
came perfectly stupid, and lay in that situation for three 
days; she then laughed three days, and then cried three 
3 



26 Narrative of the Life, &?c. 

days; after which she seemed to awake like a person 
from sleep, and had no knowledge of what had passed, 
or that she had been sick, or had a child. These two 
doctors continued to attend her, and used all the means 
in their power to strengthen the nervous system. She 
gained very slowly, and it was a long time before she 
got about; but she never got entirely over it. This 
sickness put me back in my business very much, and the 
expense was above two hundred dollars. ' 

In about a month after my wife had recovered from 
her sickness, she was attacked with the cholic, which 
required all my attention, and that of the two doctors 
who attended her before; but all our exertions ap- 
peared to be in vain, for the disease had its regular 
course for several days, and then left her. These at- 
tacks continued once a month, or oftener, and it was so 
much trouble to go for the doctor so often, as I had to 
during these turns, that I let a young man who studied 
with Dr. Watts, have a house on my farm, so as to have 
him handy; but I soon found that by having a doctor 
so near, there was plenty of business for him; for there 
was not a month in the year but what I had some- 
body sick in my family. If a child was attacked with 
any trifling complaint, the doctor was sent for, and they 
were sure to have a long sickness; so he paid his rent 
and keeping very easy. This doctor lived on my farm 
seven years, during which time I had a very good 
knowledge of all the medicine he m?xle use of, and his 
manner of curing diseases, which has been of great use 
to me, in finding out the use, or rather the abuse and 
imposition of a family doctor, as the family is of no use 
to the doctor, unless they are sick, and it is for his profit, 
if not sick, to make them so. During the first of his 
practice, he used chiefly roots and herbs, and his suc- 
cess was very great in curing canker and old complaints ; 
but he afterwards got into the fashionable mode of treat- 
ing hk patients, by giving them apothecary's drugs; 
which nude him more popular with the faculty, and less 
useful to his fellow creatures. 

My mind was ^ent on learning the medical proper- 
ties of such vegetables as I met with, and was constant- 
ly in the habit of tasting every thing of the kind I saw; 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 27 

and having a retentive memory, I have always recollect- 
ed the taste and use of all that were ever shown me 
by others, and likewise of all that I discovered myself. 
This practice of tasting of herbs and roots has been of 
great advantage to me, as I have always been able to 
ascertain what is useful for any particular disease, by 
that means. I was often told that I should poison my- 
self by tasting every thing I saw; but I thought I ought 
to have as much knowledge as a beast, for they possess 
an instinct to discover what is good for food, and what is 
necessary for medicine. I had but very little knowledge 
of disease at this time; but had a great inclination to 
learn whatever I had an opportunity ; and my own expe- 
rience, which is the best school, had often called my at- 
tention to the subject. 

The herb which I had discovered when four years 
old, I had often met with; but it had never occurred to 
me that it was of any value as medicine, until about this 
time, when mowing in the field with a number of men, 
one day, I cut a sprig of it, and gave to the man next 
to me, who ate it; when we had got to the end of the 
piece, which was about six rods, he said that he believ- 
ed what I had given him would kill him, for he never 
felt so in his life. I looked at him and saw that he was 
in a most profuse perspiration, being as wet all over as 
he could be; he trembled very much, and there was no 
more color in him than a corpse. I told him to go to 
the spring and drink some water; he attempted to go, 
and got as far as the wall, but was unable to get over it, 
and laid down on the ground and vomited several times. 
He said he thought he threw off his stomach two quarts. 
I then helped him into the house, and in about two hours 
he ate a very hearty dinner, and in the afternoon was 
able to do a good half day's labor. He afterwards told 
me that he never had any thing do him so much good in 
his life ; his appetite was remarkably good, and he felt 
better than he had for a long time. This circumstance 
gave me the first idea of the medical virtues of this valu- 
able plant, which I have since found by forty years ex- 
perience, in which time I have made use of it in every 
disease I have met with, to great advantage, that it is a 
discovery of the greatest importance. 



28 Narrative of the Life, Sfe. 

In March, 1794, my second daughter was born; and 
my wife had no medical assistance except what I could 
do for her, with the advice of the doctor who lived on 
my farm. After this she was never again afflicted with 
the cholic. In the course of this year the lease of my 
father's half of the farm expired, and we made a di- 
vision of the stock. My half was five yearlings and 
half a colt; this, with half the farm, containing about 
one hundred and twenty-five acres, was all the property 
I possessed, and I was mostly clear of debt. Soon after., 
I purchased of my father the other half of the farm, for 
which I gave six hundred and thirty-six dollars, payable 
in stock, one half in two years, and the other in four. 
In order to meet these payments, I purchased calves 
and colts; but it proved hard for me, as they brought, 
when the payments became due, but little more than the 
first cost, after having to keep them two years; I offered 
them to my father for what the hay they ate the last 
year would have sold for, but he would not agree to it. 
I settled with him, however, and paid him according to 
contract. I afterwards purchased of a neighbor a small 
piece of land, which incommoded me by keeping the sun 
from my house part of the forenoon; for which I agreed 
to pay him seventy-three dollars and thirty-three cents, 
in three years, with interest. This turned out a trou- 
blesome affair for me, for when I came to pay the inter- 
est the second year, the note was more than when first 
given, having been altered; and I refused to pay any 
thing. When the note became due, I would pay no 
more than what it was given for, and it was sued and my 
cattle and horses were attached. It went through a 
course of law, and cost us both a great deal of expense 
and trouble; but I finally beat him; he lost his note and 
I recovered damage for his taking my cattle and horses. 
This was the first time I had any thing to do with the 
law, and in the whole it cost me about one hundred dol- 
lars; but it was a good lesson, and has been worth tome 
the expense. 

When my second daughter was about two years old 
she was taken sick, and had what is called the canker- 
rash. Dr. Bliss, who lived on my farm, was sent for, and 
he said she had that disorder as bad as any one he ever 



Of Samuel Thomson, 29 

saw. He tried his utmost skill to prevent putrefaction^ 
which he feared would take place; but after using 
every exertion in his power, without doing her any good, 
he said he could do no more, she must die. She was 
senseless, and the canker was to be seen in her mouth, 
nose, and ears, and one of her eyes was covered with it 
and closed; the other began to swell and turn purple 
also. I asked the doctor if he could not keep the can- 
ker out of this eye; but he said it would be of no use, 
for she could not live. I told him that if he could do 
no more, I would try what I could do myself. I found 
that if the canker could not be stopped immediately, she 
would be blind with both eyes. She was so distressed 
for breath that she would spring straight up on end in 
struggling to breathe. I sat myself in a chair, and held 
her in my lap, and put a blanket round us both; then 
my wife held a hot spider or shovel between my feet, and 
I poured on vinegar to raise a steam, and kept it as hot 
as I found she could bear, changing them as soon as they 
became cold ; and by following this plan for about twenty 
minutes, she became comfortable and breathed easy. I 
kept a cloth wet with cold water on her eyes, changing 
it often, as it grew warm. I followed this plan, steam- 
ing her every two hours, for about a week, when she 
began to gain. Her eyes came open, and the one that 
was the worst, was completely covered with canker, and 
was as white as paper. I used a wash of rosemary to 
take off the canker; and when the scale came off, the 
sight came out with it; and it entirely perished. The 
other eye was saved, to the astonishment of all who saw 
her, particularly the doctor, who used frequently to call 
to see how she did. He said she was saved entirely by 
the plan I had pursued, and the great care and attention 
pnid to her. She entirely recovered from the disease, 
with the exception of the loss of one eye, and has en- 
joyed good health to this time. This was the first of my 
finding out the plan of steaming and using cold water. 
After this I found by experience that by putting a hot 
stone into a thing of hot water, leaving it partly out of 
the water, and then pouring vinegar on the stone, was 
an improvement. Care should be taken not to raise the 
heat too fast ; and I used to put a cloth wet with cold 
3* 



30 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

water on the stomach, at the same time giving hot medi- 
cine to raise the, heat inside ; and when they had been 
steamed in this manner so long as I thought they could 
bear it, then rub them all over with a cloth wet with 
spirit, vinegar, or cold water, change their Ciothes and 
bed clothes, and then let them go to bed. 

A short time before this daughter was sick, my oldest 
son was born, and was very weakly in consequence of 
his mother's having previous to his birth, what is called 
a three months' fever, which experience gave me a 
pretty good knowledge of the practice of the doctors in 
prolonging a disease; for I never could reconcile myself 
to the idea, that a doctor could be of any use, if the 
fever must have its course, and nature had to perform 
the cure,, at the same time the doctor gets his pay and 
the credit of it. If the patient's constitution is so strong 
as to enable them to struggle against the operation of 
the medicine and the disorder, they will recover; but if 
not, they run down in what the doctors call a galloping 
consumption. The doctor proceeded in this way with 
my wife, until I was satisfied of his plan, when I inter- 
fered and dismissed him. As soon as she left off taking 
his medicine, she began gradually to gain her health, 
and soon got about. 

When this son was about six weeks old, he was at- 
tacked with the croup, or rattles. He was taken a little 
before sunset with a hoarseness, was very much clog- 
ged with phlegm, and breathed with so much difficulty, 
that he could be heard all over the house. I sent 
for the doctor, and he attended him till about ten o'clock 
at night without doing him any good, and then went 
away, saying that he would not live till morning. After 
he was gone, I was a«aiw obliged to call on the mother 
of invention, and try what I could do myself. I search- 
ed the house for some rattlesnake's oil, and was so 
fortunate as to find about three or four drops, which I 
immediately gave him, and it loosened the phlegm, and 
he soon began to breathe easy; by close attention 
through the night, the child was quite comfortable in the 
morning. The doctor came in the next day and ex- 
pressed great astonishment on finding the child alive ; 
and was anxious to know by what means he had been re- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 31 

lieved from so desperate a situation. On my informing 
him, he seemed well pleased with the information ; and 
observed that he was willing to allow, that the greatest 
knowledge that doctors ever obtained was either by ac- 
cident or through necessity. So the discovery of a cure 
for this desperate disease by necessity, was of great use 
both to me and the doctor; notwithstanding, however, 
the information he gained of me, instead of giving me 
credit for it, he charged me for his useless visit. 

I was in the habit at this time of gathering and pre- 
serving in the proper season, all kinds of medical herbs 
and roots that I was acquainted with, in order to be able 
at all times to prevent as well as to cure disease ; *br I 
found by experience, that one ounce of prevention was 
better than a pound of cure. Only the simple article of 
mayweed, when a person has taken a bad cold, by taking 
a strong cup of the tea when going to bed, will prevent 
more disease in one night, with one cent's expense, than 
would be cured by the doctor in one month, and one 
hundred dollars expense in their charges, apothecaries' 
drugs, and nurses. 

I had not the most distant idea at this time of ever 
engaging in the practice of medicine, more than to as- 
sist my own family; and little did I think what those 
severe trials and sufferings I experienced in the cases 
that have been mentioned, and which I was drove to by 
necessity, were to bring about. It seemed as a judg- 
ment upon me, that either myself or family, or some one 
living with me, were sick most of the time the doctor 
lived on my farm, which was about seven years. Since 
I have had more experience, and become better acquaint- 
ed with the subject, I am satisfied in my own mind of 
the cause. Whenever any of the family took a cold, the 
doctor was sent for, who would always either bleed or 
give physic. Taking away the blood reduces the heat, 
and gives power to the cold they had taken, which in- 
creases the disorder, and the coldness of the stomach 
causes canker; the physic drives all the determining 
powers from the surface inwardly, and scatters the 
canker through the stomach and bowels, which holds 
the cold inside, and drives the heat on the outside. 
The consequence is, that perspiration ceases, because 



32 Narrative of the Life, $$c. 

internal heat is the sole cause of this important evacua- 
tion; and a settled fever takes place, which will continue 
as long as the cold keeps the upper hand. My expe- 
rience has taught me that by giving hot medicine, the 
internal heat was increased, and by applying the steam 
externally, the natural perspiration was restored ; and by 
giving medicine to clear the stomach and bowels from 
canker, till the cold is driven out and the heat returns, 
which is the turn of the fever, they will recover the di- 
gestive powers, so that food will keep the heat where it 
naturally belongs, which is the fuel that continues the 
fire or life of man. 

After the doctor, who lived on my farm, moved away, 
I had very little sickness in my family. On the birth 
of my second son, which was about two years from 
the birth of the first son, we had no occasion for a 
doctor; my wife did well, and the child was much more 
healthy than the others had been; and I have never 
employed a doctor since; for I had found from sad 
experience, that they made much more sickness than 
they cured. Whenever any of my family were sick, I 
had no difficulty in restoring them to health by such 
means as were within my own knowledge. As fast as 
my children arrived at years of discretion, I instruct- 
ed them how to relieve themselves, and they have all 
enjoyed good health ever since. If parents would adopt 
the same plan, and depend more upon themselves, and 
less upon the doctors, they would avoid much sickness 
in their families, as well as save the expense attending 
the employment of one of the regular physicians, when- 
ever any trifling sickness occurs, whose extravagant 
charges is a grievous and heavy burthen upon the peo- 
ple. I shall endeavor to instruct them all in my power, 
by giving a plain and clear view of the experience I 
have had, that they may benefit by it. If they do not, 
the fault will not be mine, for I shall have done my duty. 
I am certain of the fact, that there is medicine enough 
in the country, within the reach of every one, to cure 
all the disease incident to it, if timely and properly ad- 
ministered. 

At the birth of our third son, my wife was again given 
over by the midwife. Soon after the child was born, 



Of Samuel Thomson. 33 

she was taken with ague fits and cramp in the stomach: 
she was in great pain, and we were much alarmed at 
her situation. I proposed giving her some medicines, 
but the midwife was much opposed to it; she said she 
wished to have a doctor and the sooner the better. I 
immediately sent for one. and tried to persuade her to 
give something which I thought would relieve my wife 
until the doctor could come; but she objected to it, 
saying that her case was a very difficult one. and would 
not allow to be triiied with; she said she was sensible 
of the dangerous situation my wife was in. for not one 
out of twenty lived through it. and probably she would 
not be alive in twenty-four hours from that time. We 
were thus kept in suspense until the man returned and 
the doctor could not be found, and there was no other 
within six miles. I then came to the determination of 
hearing to no one's advice any longer, but to pursue my 
own plan. I told my wife, that as the midwife said she 
could not live more than twenty-four hours, her life 
could not be cut short more than that time, therefore 
there would be no hazard in trying what I could do to 
relieve her. I gave her some warm medicine to raise 
the inward heat, and then applied the steam, which was 
very much opposed by the midwife; but I persisted in it 
according to the best 01 mv judgment, and relieved her 
in about one hour, after ^he had laid in that situation 
above four hours, without any thing being done. The 
midwife expressed a sreat deal of astonishment at the 
success I had met with, and said that I had saved her 
life, for she was certain that without the means I had 
used, she could net have lived. She continued to do 
well, and soon recovered. This makes the fifth time I 
had applied to the mother of invention for assistance, and 
in all of them was completely successiil. 

These things began to be taken some notice of about 
this time, and caused much conversation in the neigh- 
borhood. My assistance was called for by some of the 
neighbors, and I attended several cases with good suc- 
cess. I had previous to this time, paid some attention 
to the farrier business, and had been useful in that line. 
This, however, gave occasion for the ignorant and cred- 
ulous to ridicule me and lau^h at those whom I attend- 



34 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

ed; but these things had little weight with me, for I 
had no other object in view but to be serviceable to 
my fellow creatures, and I was to© firmly fixed in my 
determination to pursue that course, which I consid- 
ered was pointed out as my duty, by the experience 
and many hard trials I had suffered, to be deterred by 
the foolish remarks of the envious or malicious part of 
society. 

The last sickness of my wife, I think took place in 
the year 1799, and about two years after she had another 
son and did well, making five sons that she had in suc- 
cession; she afterwards had another daughter, which 
was the last, making eight children in the whole that 
she was the mother of; five sons and three daughters. 
I mention these particulars, in order that the reader may 
the better understand many things that took place in 
my family, which will give some idea of the experience 
and trouble I had to encounter in bringing up so large 
a family, especially with the many trials I had to go 
through in the various cases of sickness and troubles, 
which are naturally attendant on all families, and of 
which I had a very large share. The knowledge and 
experience, however, which I gained by these trying 
scenes, I have reason to be satisfied with, as it has prov- 
ed to be a blessing, not only to me, but many hundreds 
who have been relieved from sickness and distress through 
my means; and I hope and trust that it will eventually 
be the cause of throwing off the veil of ignorance from 
the eyes of the good people of this country, and do away 
the blind confidence they are so much in the habit of 
placing in those who call themselves physicians, who 
fare sumptuously every day; living in splendor and 
magnificence, supported by the impositions they prac- 
tise upon a deluded and credulous people ; for they have 
much more regard for their own interest than they 
have for the health and happiness of those who are 
no unfortunate as to have any thing to do with them. 
If this was the worst side of the picture, it might be 
borne with more patience; but their practice is altogeth- 
er experimental, to try the effect of their poisons upon 
the constitutions of their patients, and if they happen 
to give more than nature can bear, they either die or 



Of Samuel Thomson, 35 

become miserable invalids the rest of their lives, and 
their friends console themselves with the idea that it 
is the will of God, and it is their duty to submit ; the 
doctor gets well paid for his services, and that is an end 
of the tragedy. It may be thought by some that this is 
a highly colored picture, and that I am uncharitable 
to apply it to all who practise as physicians; but the 
truth of the statements, as respects what are called reg- 
ular physicians, or those who get diplomas from the 
medical society, will not be doubted by any who are 
acquainted with the subject, and will throw aside preju- 
dice and reflect seriously upon it — those whom the coat 
fits I am willing should wear it. There are, however, 
many physicians within my knowledge, who do not fol- 
low the fashionable mode of practice of the day, but 
are governed by their own judgments, and make use of 
the vegetable medicine of our own country, with the 
mode of treatment most consistent with nature; and 
what is the conduct of those who have undertaken to 
dictate to the people how and by whom they shall be at- 
tended when sick, towards them? Why, means that 
would disgrace the lowest dregs of society, that savages 
would not be guilty of, are resorted to for the purpose of 
injuring them, and destroying their credit with the public. 
I have had a pretty large share of this kind of treatment 
from the faculty, the particulars of which, and the suf- 
ferings I have undergone, will be given in detail in the 
course of this Narrative. 

Sometime in the month of November, 1802, my chil- 
dren had the measles, and some of them had them very 
bad. The want of knowing how to treat them gave me 
a great deal of trouble, much more than it would at the 
present time, for experience has taught me that they 
are very easy to manage. One of the children took tbe 
disease and gave it to the rest, and I think we had four 
down with them at the same time. My third son had 
the disorder very bad; they would not come out, but 
turned in, and he became stupid. The canker was 
much in the throat and mouth, and the rosemary would 
have no effect. Putrid symptoms made their appear- 
ance, and I was under the necessity of inventing some** 
thing for that, ^and for the canker. I jused the steam of 



36 Narrative of the Life, Sfc. 

vinegar to guard against putrefaction, and gold thread, 
or yellow root, with red oak acorns pounded and steep- 
ed together, for the canker. These had the desired 
effect; and by close attention he soon got better. The 
second son was then taken down pretty much in the 
same manner, and I pursued the same mode of treat- 
ment, with similar success; but the disease had so af- 
fected his lungs, that I feared it would leave him in a 
consumption, as was the case with my mother. He 
could not speak loud for three weeks. I could get noth- 
ing that would help him for some time, till at last I gave 
him several portions of the emetic herb, which relieved 
him and he soon got well. During this sickness we suf- 
fered much from fatigue and want of sleep; for neither 
my wife nor myself had our clothes off for twelve nights. 
This was a good fortnight's school to me, in which I 
learned the nature of the measles; and found it to be 
canker and putrefaction. This experience enabled me 
to relieve many others in this disease, and likewise in 
the canker-rash; in these two disorders, and the small 
pox, I found a looking-glass, in which we may see the 
nature of every other disease. I had the small pox in 
the year 179&, and examined its symptoms with all the 
skill I was capable of, to ascertain the nature of the dis- 
ease ; and found that it was the highest stage of canker 
and putrefaction that the human system was capable of 
receiving; the measles the next, and the canker-rash the 
third; and other disorders partake more or less of the 
same, which I am satisfied is a key to the whole; for by 
knowing how to cure this, is a general rule to know how 
to cure all other cases; as the same means that will put 
out a large fire will put out a candle. 

Soon after my family had got well of the measles, I 
was sent for to see a woman by the name of Redding, 
in the neighborhood. She had been for many years 
afflicted with the cholic, and could get no relief from 
the doctors. I attended her and found the disorder was 
caused by canker, and pursued the plan that my former 
experience had taught me, which relieved her from the 
pain, and so far removed the cause that she never had 
another attack of the disease. In this case the cure 
^vas so simply and easily performed, that it became a 



Of Samuel Thomson. 3? 

subject of ridicule, for when she was asked about it, 
she was ashamed to say that I cured her. The popular 
practice of the physicians had so much influence on the 
minds of the people, that they thought nothing could be 
right but what was done by them. I attended in this 
family for several years, and always answered the de- 
sired purpose; but my practice was so simple, that it 
was not worthy of notice, and being dissatisfied with 
the treatment I received, I refused to do any thing more 
for them. After this they employed the more fashion- 
able practitioners, who were ready enough to make the 
most of a job, and they had sickness and expense enough 
to satisfy them, for one of the sons was soon after taken 
sick and was given over by the doctor, who left him to 
die; but after he left off giving him medicine he got well 
of himself, and the doctor not only had the credit of it, 
but for this job and one other similar, his charges 
amounted to over one hundred dollars. This satisfied 
me of the foolishness of the people, whose prejudices 
are always in favor of any thing that is fashionable, or 
that is done by those who profess great learning; and 
prefer long sickness and great expense, if done in this 
way, to a simple and natural relief, with a trifling ex- 
pense. 

Soon after this, I was called on to attend a Mrs. 
Wetherbee, in the neighborhood, who had the same 
disorder. She had been afflicted with the cholic for 
several years, having periodical turns of it about once a 
month; had been under the care of a number of doc- 
tors, who had used all their skill without affording her 
any relief, excepting a temporary one by stupifying her 
with opium and giving physic, which kept her along till 
nature could wear it off, when she would get a little 
better for a few days, and then have another turn. Af- 
ter hearing of my curing Mrs. Redding, they sent for 
me; I gave her my medicine to remove the canker, and 
steamed her, which gave relief in one hour. She had a 
very large family to attend to, having thirteen children, 
and before she had recovered her strength she exposed 
herself and had another turn; I attended again and 
relieved her in the same manner as before; but she 
could not wait till she gained her strength, and exposed 
4 



38 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

herself again as before, toofi; cold and had another turn* 
Her husband said I only relieved her for the time, but 
did not remove the cause, and being dissatisfied with 
what I had done, he sent for a doctor to remove the 
cause; who carried her through a course of physic, and 
reduced her so low, that she lingered along for eight 
Weeks, being unable to do any thing the whole time; 
they then decided that she had the consumption, and 
gave her over to die. After the doctors had left her in 
this situation as incurable, she applied again to me; but 
I declined doing any thing for her, as 1 knew her case 
was much more difficult than it was before she applied 
to the doctor, and if I should fail in curing her, the 
blame would all be laid to me, or if she got well I should 
get no credit by it; for which reason 1 felt very unwill- 
ing to do any thing for her. After finishing my fore- 
noon's work, on going home to dinner, I found her at 
my house, waiting for me, and she insisted so much upon 
my undertaking to eltre iter; and seemed to have so 
much faitH in my beieo- able to do it, that I at last told 
her, if she would come to my house and stay with my 
wife, who was sick at the time, I would do the best I 
could to cure her. She readily consented, and staid but 
three days with us; during which time I pursued my 
usual plan of treatment, giving her things to remove 
the canker, and steaming to produce a natural perspi- 
ration; at the end of the three days she went home, 
taking with her some medicine, with directions what to 
do for herself, and in a short time entirely recovered her 
health. In less than a year after, she had another child, 
which was a conclusion of her having children or the 
cholic, and she ever after enjoyed as good health as any 
woman in the neiol rhood; but this cure was done in 
so unfashionable a viv s that they were hardly willing to 
acknowledge it, and they would not apply to me for re- 
lie f, when any of their family were sick, till they had 
failed in getting it in any other w 7 ay. 

In about a year after the above case, one of this 
family, a young man shout sixteen years old, was at- 
tacked with a fever: the doctor was sent for, who fol- 
lowed the fashionable course of practice, and reduced 
him with mercury and other poisons, so that he linger- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 39 

ed along for three or four months, constantly growing 
worse, till the doctor said it was a rheumatic fever, and 
afterwards that he was in a decline. He had taken so 
much mercury that it had settled in his back and hips, 
and was so stiff that he could not bring his hands lower 
than his knees. By this time, the doctor had given him 
over as incurable, and he was considered a fit subject 
for me to undertake with. They applied to me, and I 
agreed to take him home to my house, and do the best 
I could to cure him. It was a difficult task, for I had 
in the first place to bring him back to the same situation 
he was in when he had the fever, and to destroy the ef- 
fects of the poison, and regulate the system by steaming, 
to produce a natural perspiration; by pursuing this plan, 
and giving such things as I could get to restore the 
digestive powers, in two months he was completely re- 
stored to health; for which I received but five dollars, 
and this was more grudgingly paid than if they had given 
a doctor fifty, without doing any good at all. 

In the spring of the year 1805, I was sent for to go 
to Woodstock, in Vermont, to attend a young woman, 
who was considered in a decline, and the doctors could 
not help her. I found her very low, not being able to 
set up but very little. I staid and attended her about a 
week, and then left her, with medicines and directions 
what to do, and returned home. In about a month, I 
went again to see her, and found her much better, so 
that she was able to ride to her father's, which was above 
twenty miles. All this time I had not formed an idea 
that I possessed any knowledge of disorder or of medi- 
cine, more than what I had learned by accident; and all 
the cases I had attended were from necessity; but the 
success I had met with, and the extraordinary cures I 
had performed, made much talk, and were heard of for 
fifty miles around. 

I began to be sent for by the people of this part of 
the country so much, that I found it impossible to at- 
tend to my farm and family as I ought ; for the cases I 
had attended, I had received very little or nothing, not 
enough to compensate me for my time; and I found it 
to be my duty to give up practice altogether, or to make 
a business of it. I consulted with my wife and asked 



40 Narrative of the Life % #c 

the advice of my friends, what was best for me to do; 
they all agreed, that as it seemed to be the natural turn 
of my mind, if I thought myself capable of such an 
important undertaking, it would be best to let my own 
judgment govern me, and to do as I thought best. I 
maturely weighed the matter in my mind, and viewed 
it as the greatest trust that any one could engage in. I 
considered my want of learning and my ignorance of 
mankind, which almost discouraged me from the under- 
taking; yet I had a strong inclination for the practice, of 
which it seemed impossible to divest my mind; and I 
had always had a very strong aversion to working on a 
farm, as every thing of the kind appeared to me to be 
a burthen; the reason of which I could not account for, 
as I had carried on the business to good advantage, and 
had as good a farm as any in the neighborhood. I 
finally concluded to make use of that gift which I thought 
nature, or the God of nature, had implanted in me; and 
if I possessed such a gift, I had no need of learning, for 
no one can learn that gift. I thought of what St. Paul 
says in his epistle to the Corinthians, concerning the dif- 
ferent gifts by the same spirit; one had the gift of pro- 
phecy; another, the gift of healing; another, the work- 
ing of miracles. I am satisfied in my own mind, that 
every man is made and capacitated for some particular 
pursuit in life, in which, if he engages, he will be more 
useful than he would if he happens to be so unfortunate 
as to follow a calling or profession, that was not conge- 
nial to his disposition. This is a very important con- 
sideration for parents, not to make their sons learn trades 
or professions, which are contrary to their inclinations and 
the natural turn of their minds; for it is certain if they 
do, they never can be useful or happy in following them.. 
I am convinced myself that I possess a gift in healing 
the sick, because of the extraordinary success I have 
met with, and the protection and support I have been 
afforded, against the attacks of all my enemies. Whether 
I should have been more useful had it been my lot to 
have had an education, and learned the profession in the 
fashionable way, is impossible for me to say with certain- 
ty; probably I should have been deemed more honora- 
ble in the world; but honor obtained by learning, with,- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 41 

out a natural gift, or capacity, can never, in*my opinion, 
make a man very useful to his fellow creatures. I wish 
my readers to understand me, that I do not mean to con- 
vey the idea, that learning is not necessary and essential 
in obtaining a proper knowledge of any profession or 
art ; but that going to college will make a wise man of a 
fool, is what I am ready to deny; or that a man cannot 
be useful and even great in a profession, or in the arts 
and sciences, without a classical education, is what I 
think no one will have the hardihood to attempt to sup- 
port, as it is contrary to reason and common sense. We 
have many examples of some of the greatest philosophers, 
physicians, and divines the world ever knew, who were 
entirely self-taught ; and who have done more honor, and 
been greater ornaments to society, than a million of those 
who have nothing to recommend them but having their 
heads crammed with learning, without sense enough to 
apply it to any great or useful purpose. 

Among the practising physicians, I have found, and 
I believe it to be a well known fact, that those who are 
really great in the profession, and have had the most ex* 
perience, condemn as much as I do, the fashionable 
mode of practice of the present day, and use very little 
medical poisons, confining themselves in their treatment 
of patients to simples principally, and the use of such 
things as will promote digestion and aid nature; and 
many of them disapprove of bleeding altogether. Those 
of this description, with whom I have had an oppor- 
tunity to converse, have treated me with all due atten- 
tion and civility; have heard me with pleasure, and 
been ready to allow me credit for my experience, and 
the discoveries I have made in curing disease. The 
opposition and abuse that I have met with, have been 
uniformly from those to whom I think I can with pro- 
priety, give the name of quacks, or ignorant pretenders; 
as all their merit consists in their self-importance and 
arrogant behaviour towards all those who have not had 
the advantages of learning, and a degree at college, 
This class compose a large proportion of the medical 
faculty throughout our country; they have learned just 
enough to know how to deceive the people, and keep 
them in ignorance, by covering their doings under an 
4# 



42 Narrative of ihe Life, fyc. 

unknown language to their patients. There can be no 
good reason given why all the technical terms in medical 
works are kept in a dead language, except it be to de- 
ceive and keep the world ignorant of their doings, that 
they may the better impose upon the credulity of the 
people ; for if they were to be written in our own lan- 
guage, every body would understand them, and judge for 
themselves; and their poisonous drugs would be thrown 
into the fire before their patients would take them. The 
ill-treatment that I have received from them, has been 
mostly where I have, exposed their ignorance, by curing 
those they had given over to die; in which cases they 
have shown their malice by circulating all kinds of false 
and ridiculous reports of me and my practice, in order 
to destroy my credit with the people; and I am sorry to 
say that I have found many too ready to join with them, 
even among those who have been relieved by me from 
pain and sickness. Such ingratitude I can account for 
in no other way, than by the readiness with which the 
people follow whatever is fashionable, without reflecting 
whether it be right or wrong. 

After I had come to the determination to make a 
business of the medical practice, I found it necessary to 
fix upon some system or plan for my future government 
in the treatment of disease; for what I had done had 
been as it were from accident, and the necessity arising 
out of the particular cases that came under my care, 
without any fixed plan; in which I had been governed 
by my judgment and the advantages I had received from 
experience. I deemed it necessary, not only as my own 
guide, but that whatever discoveries I should make in 
my practice, they might be so adapted to my plan that 
my whole system might be easily taught to others, and 
preserved for the benefit of the world. I had no other 
assistance than my own observations, and the natural 
reflections of my own mind, unaided by learning or the 
opinions of others. I took nature for my guide, and 
experience as my instructer; and after seriously con- 
sidering every part of the subject, I came to certain 
conclusions concerning disease, and the whole animal 
economy, which more than forty years experience has 
perfectly satisfied me is the only correct theory. My 



Of Samuel Thomson. 43 

practice has invariably been conformable to the general 
principles upon which my system is founded, and in no 
instance have I had reason to doubt the correctness of 
its application to cure all cases of disease when properly 
attended ^o ; for that all disease is the effect of one general 
cause, and may be removed by one general remedy, is 
the foundation upon which I have erected my fabric, and 
which I shall endeavor to explain in as clear and concise 
a manner as I am capable, with a hope that it may be 
understood by my readers, and that they may be con- 
vinced of its correctness. 

I found, after maturely considering the subject, that 
all animal bodies are formed of the four elements, earth, 
air, fire, and water. Earth and water constitute the 
solids, and air and fire, or heat, are the cause of life 
and motion. That cold, or lessening the power of heat, 
is the cause of all disease; that to restore heat to its 
natural state, was the only way by which health could 
be produced; and that, after restoring the natural heat, 
by clearing the system of all obstructions and causing a 
natural perspiration, the stomach would digest the food 
taken into it, by which means the whole body is nour- 
ished and invigorated, and heat or nature is enabled to 
hold its supremacy; that the constitutions of all mankind 
being essentially the same, and differing only in the dif- 
ferent temperament of the same materials of which they 
are composed; it appeared clearly to my mind, that all 
disease proceeded from one general cause, and might be 
cured by one general remedy; that a state of perfect 
health arises from a due balance or temperature of the 
four elements; but if it is by any means destroyed, the 
body is more or less disordered. And when this is the 
case, there is always an actual diminution or absence of 
the element of fire, or heat; and i-n proportion to this 
diminution or absence, the body is affected by its oppo- 
site, which is cold. And I found that all disorders which 
the human family were afflicted with, however various 
the symptoms, and different the names by which they are 
called, arise directly from obstructed perspiration, which 
is always caused by cold, or want of heat; for if there is 
a natural heat, it is impossible but that there must be a 
natural perspiration. 



44 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

Having fixed upon these general principles, as the 
only solid foundation upon which a correct and true un- 
derstanding of the subject can be founded, my next busi- 
ness was to ascertain what kinds of medicine and treat- 
ment would best answer the purpose in conformity to this 
universal plan of curing disease ; for it must, I think, be 
certain and self-evident to every one, that whatever will 
increase the internal heat, remove all obstructions of the 
system, restore the digestive powers of the stomach, and 
produce a natural perspiration, is universally applicable 
in all cases of disease, and therefore may be considered 
as a general remedy. 

The first and most important consideration was to find 
a medicine that would establish a natural internal heat, 
so as to give nature its proper command. My emetic 
herb, (No. 1,) I found would effectually cleanse the 
stomach, and would very effectually aid in raising the 
heat and promoting perspiration; but would not hold it 
long enough to effect the desired object, so but that the 
cold would return again and assume its power. It was 
like a fire made of shavings; a strong heat for a short 
time, and then all go out. After much experience and 
trying every thing within my knowledge, to gain this 
important point, I fixed upon the medicine which I have 
called No. 2, in my patent, for that purpose; and after 
using it for many years, I am perfectly convinced that it 
is the best thing that can be made use of to hold the heat 
in the stomach until the system can be cleared of ob- 
structions, so as to produce a natural digestion of the 
food, which will nourish the body, establish perspiration 
and restore the health of the patient. I found it to be 
perfectly safe in all cases, and never knew any bad ef- 
fects from administering it. 

My next grand object was to get something that 
would clear the stomach and bowels from canker, 
which are more or less affected by it in all cases of 
disease to which the human family are subject. Can- 
ker and putrefaction are caused by cold, or want of 
heat; for whenever any part of the body is so affected 
by cold as to overpower the natural heat, putrefaction 
commences, and if not checked by medicine, or if the 
natural constitution is not strong enough to overcome its 



Of Samuel Thomson. 45 

progress, it will communicate to the blood, when death 
will end the contest between heat and cold, by deciding 
in favor of the latter. I have made use of a great many 
articles, which are useful in removing canker; but my 
preparation called No. 3, is the best for that purpose, 
that has come to my knowledge; though many other 
things may be made use of to good effect, all of which I 
shall give particular a description in my general direc- 
tions hereafter. 

Having endeavored to convey to my readers, in a brief 
manner, a correct idea of the general principles upon 
which I formed my system of practice, I shall now T give 
some account of the success I met with in the various 
cases that came under my care, and the difficulties and 
opposition that I have had % to encounter, in maintaining 
it till this time, against all my enemies. 

My general plan of treatment has been in all cases 
of disease, to cleanse the stomach by giving No. 1, 
and produce as great an internal heat as I could, by 
giving No. 2, and when necessary, made use of steam- 
ing, in which I have always found great benefit, es- 
pecially in fevers; after this, I gave No. 3, to clear 
off the canker; and in all cases where patients had 
not previously become so far reduced as to have nothing 
to build upon, I have been successful in restoring them 
to health. I found that fever was a disturbed state of 
the heat, or more properly, that it was caused by the 
efforts which nature makes to throw off disease, and 
therefore ought to be aided in its cause, and treated as 
a friend; and not as an enemy, as is the practice of the 
physicians. ( In all cases of disease, I have found that 
there is more or less fever, according to the state of the 
system; but that all fevers proceed from the same cause, 
differing only in the symptoms; and may be managed 
and brought to a crisis with much less trouble than is 
generally considered practicable, by increasing the in- 
ternal heat, till the cold is driven out, which is the cause 
of it. Thus keeping the fountain above the stream, and 
every thing will take its natural course. 

During the year 1805, a very alarming disease pre- 
vailed in Alstead and Walpole, which was considered the 



46 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

yellow fever, and was fatal to many who were attacked 
by it. I was called on, and attended with very great 
success, not losing one patient that I attended; at the 
same time, nearly one half of those who had regular 
physicians, died. This disease prevailed for about 
forty days, during which time, I was not at home but 
eight nights. I was obliged to be nurse as well as 
doctor, and do every thing myself, for the people had 
no knowledge of my mode of practice, and I could not 
depend upon what any person did, except what was 
under my own immediate inspection. I pursued the 
same general plan that I had before adopted; but the 
experience I had from this practice, suggested to me 
many improvements, which I had not before thought of, 
as respects the manner of treatment of patients to effect 
the objects I aimed at in curing the disease, which was 
to produce a natural perspiration. I found great benefit 
in steaming in the manner that I had discovered and 
practised with my little daughter; but I found by ex- 
perience, that by putting a hot stone into a spider or 
iron basin, and then wetting the top of the stone with 
vinegar, was an important improvement; and with this 
simple method, with a little medicine of my own pre- 
paring, answered a much better purpose, than all the 
bleeding and poisonous physic of the doctors. While 
I was attending those who were sick, and they found 
that my mode of treatment relieved them from their 
distress, they were very ready to flatter and give great 
credit for my practice ; but after I had worn myself out 
in their service, they began to think that it was not done 
in a fashionable way ; and the doctors made use of every 
means in their power to ridicule me and my practice, 
for the purpose of maintaining their own credit with 
the people. This kind of treatment was a new thing 
to me, as I did not at that time so well understand the 
craft, as I have since, from hard earned experience. 
The word quackery, when used by the doctor against 
me, was a very important charm to prejudice the people 
against my practice; but I would ask all the candid 
and reflecting part of the people, the following ques- 
tions, and I will leave them to their consciences to give 
an answer; which is the greatest quack, the one who 



Of Saniitel Thomson. 47 

I 

relieves them from their sickness by the most simple and 
safe means, without any pretensions to infallibility or 
skill, more than what nature and experience has taught 
him, or the one who, instead of curing the disease, in- 
creases it by administering poisonous medicines, which 
only tend to prolong the distress of the patient, till either 
the strength of his natural constitution, or death relieves 
him? 

I was called upon to attend a man by the name of 
Fairbanks, who lived in Walpole ; he was taken with 
bleeding at the lungs. I fowid him in a very bad con- 
dition; the family judged that he had lost nearly six 
quarts of blood in twenty-four hours. He was in despair 
and had taken leave of his family, as they considered 
there was no hope of his living. The doctor was with 
him when I first entered the house ; but he fled at my 
approach. Both his legs were corded by the doctor, and 
the first thing I did was to strip off the cords from his 
legs ; and then gave medicine to get as great an internal 
heat as I possibly could produce ; got him to sweat pro- 
fusely ; then gave him medicine to clear the canker; and 
in four days he was so well as to be able to go out and 
attend to his business. 

Sometime in October, 1805, I attended a Mrs. Good- 
ell, of Walpole; she had been confined and had taken 
cold. The most noted doctors in the town had attended 
her through what they called a fever, and she was then 
pronounced by them to be in a decline. After three 
months practice upon her, they had got her into so des- 
perate a situation, that they gave her over, and said that 
her case was so putrid and ulcerated that it was utterly 
incurable. She had in addition to the rest of her diffi- 
culties, a cancer on her back. In this desperate situa- 
tion, it was thought by hej- friends that she was a proper 
subject for me to undertake with. I, with a great deal 
of reluctance, undertook with her at her earnest solicita- 
tion and that of her husband; but met with much greater 
success than I expected. In four weeks she was able 
to be about the house and do some work. 

In the same year, I was sent for to attend a woman 
who had been in a dropsical way for a number of 
years. The disease had of late gained with rapid 



48 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

progress. Her husband had previously conversed with 
me upon the subject, and said that he had applied to Dn 
Sparhawk, and others, and they had agreed to make 
a trial of mercury. I told him that it would not answer 
the purpose ; he said he was afraid of it himself; but the 
doctors said there was no other possible way. The 
doctor tried his mercurial treatment for several days, 
which very nearly proved fatal; for I was sent for in 
great haste, with a request that I would attend as soon 
as possible, as they expected she would not live through 
the day. I found her situation very distressing; she 
said it appeared to her that she was full of scalding wa- 
ter. She began to turn purple in spots, and it was ex- 
pected that mortification had taken place. In the first 
place, I gave her about a gill of checkerberry and hem- 
lock, distilled, which allayed the heat immediately. This 
answered the purpose, till I could clear her stomach, 
and by the greatest exertions, and close attention through 
the day, I was enabled to relieve her. I attended her 
for about a week, and she was so far recovered as to en- 
joy comfortable health for twelve years. 

Notwithstanding this desperate case was cured, to the 
astonishment "of all who witnessed it, the doctors had so 
much influence over the people, and made so many false 
statements about it, that I got no credit for the cure. 
This woman's brother had said that her husband wanted 
to kill her, or he would not have sent for me. Such kind 
of ingratitude was discouraging to me ; but it did not 
prevent me from persevering in my duty. 

A short time after the above case happened, that 
woman's brother, who made the speech about me, was 
taken very sick, with what was called the yellow fever, 
and sent for me. I attended him and asked him if he 
wanted to die. He said no; why do you ask that? I 
told him, that I should suppose from the speech he made 
about my being sent for to his sister, that he did, or he 
would not have sent for me, if he believed his own 
words. He said he thought differently now. I attended 
him through the day with my new practice. To sweat 
him, I took hemlock boughs, and put a hot stone in the 
middle of a large bunch of them, wrapping the whole 
in a cloth, and poured on hot water till I raised a lively 



Of Samuel Thomson. 49 

steam, and then put one at his feet and another near his 
body. I gave him medicine to raise the inward heat, 
and for the canker; after attending him through the day, 
I went home; and on calling to see him the next morn- 
ing, found his fever had turned, and he was quite com- 
fortable, so that he was soon about his business. 

I was about this time sent for to see a child in Surry, 
a neighboring town, which w T as taken very sick, and 
was entirely stupid. I told the father of the child that 
it had the canker, and made use of my common mode 
of practice for that difficulty. Being sent for to go to 
Walpole, to see two young men who had been taken the 
day before with the prevailing fever, I left the child, 
with directions how to proceed with it. I then started 
for Walpole, and found the two young men violently 
attacked with the fever. They had a brother who had 
been attended by the doctor for above four weeks for 
the same disease, and was then just able to sit up. It 
was thought by all, the two that were attacked last, 
were as violently taken as the other was; and they ex- 
pressed a strong wish, that they might be cured without 
so long a run as their brother had. I was as anxious 
as they were to have a short job, and exerted all my 
powers to relieve them, which I was enabled to do that 
night, and left them in the morning quite comfortable, 
so that they were soon able to attend to their work. 
The brother who had the doctor, was unable to do any 
thing for several months. The doctor was paid a heavy 
bill for his visits ; but my cure was done so quick, that 
it was thought not to be worthy of their notice, and I 
never received a cent from them for my trouble. On 
returning to the child that I had left the day before, I 
found that the doctor had been there and told them 
that I did not know what was the matter with the child; 
and had persuaded them to give him the care of it. He 
filled it with mercury and run it down; after having 
given as much mercury inside as nature could move, and 
the bowels grew silent, he then rubbed mercurial oint- 
ment on the bowels as long as it had any effect; after 
which he agreed that the child had the canker very 
hadly; but he still persisted in the same course till the 
child wasted away and died, in about two months after it 
5 



50 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

was first taken sick. After the child was dead, its pa- 
rents were willing to allow that I understood the disorder 
best. The doctor got twenty-five dollars for killing the 
child by inches, and I got nothing. 

In the spring of 1805, a Mrs. Richardson was brought 
to my house. She was brought in her bed from West- 
ford, Vermont, about 130 miles, and was attended by a 
son and daughter, the one 21, and the other 18 years of 
age. The mother had lain in her bed most part of the 
time for ten years. All the doctors in that part of the 
country had been applied to without any advantage; 
and they had spent nearly all their property. I under- 
took with her more from a charitable feeling for the 
young man and woman, than from any expectation of a 
cure. Their conduct towards their helpless mother, 
was the greatest example of affection of children to a 
parent that I ever witnessed. The young man stated 
to me that his mother had been a year together with- 
out opening her eyes; that when she could open them, 
they thought her almost well. She was perfectly help- 
less, not being able to do the least thing; not even to 
brush off a fly, any more than an infant. She had laid 
so long that her knee joints had become stiff. 

I began with her by cleansing her stomach, and pro- 
moting perspiration; after which, I used to try to give 
her some exercise. The first trial I made was to put 
her bed into a wheelbarrow and lay he.r on it: when I 
would run her out, till she appeared to be weary; 
sometimes I would make a misstep and fall, pretending 
that I had hurt me ; in order to try to get her to move 
herself by frightening her. After exercising her in 
this way for a few days, I put her in a wagon, sitting 
on a bed, and drove her about in that manner; and 
when her joints became more limber, I sat her on the 
seat of the wagon. She insisted that she should fall off, 
for she said she could not use her feet; but the driver 
would sometimes drive on ground that was sideling, 
and rather than turn over, she would start her foot 
unexpectedly. After exercising her in this way some 
time, I put her on a horse behind her son; she at 
first insisted that she should fall off; but when I told 
her she was at liberty to fall, if she chose, she would 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 51 

not, choosing rather to exert herself to hold on. When 
she had rode a few times in this way, I put her on the 
horse alone, and after a few trials she would ride very 
well, so that in the course of two months she would 
ride four miles out and back every day. She used to 
be tired after riding, and would lay down and not move 
for six hours. I continued to give her medicine to keep 
up perspiration, and restore the digestive powers, and 
to strengthen the nervous system. I attended her in 
this way for three months, and then went with her and 
her son and daughter to Manchester; she rode upwards 
of thirty miles in a day, and stood the journey very well. 
I never received any pay for all my trouble and expense 
of keeping them for three months, except what the two 
young people did more than take care of their mother; 
but I accomplished what I undertook, and relieved these 
two unfortunate orphans from their burthen ; which was 
more satisfaction to me than to have received a large 
sum of money, without doing any good. I saw this 
woman three years after at the wedding of her son, 
and she was quite comfortable, and has enjoyed a tolera- 
ble degree of health to this time, (1822, the date of the 
first edition,) being able to wait on herself. 

On my return from Manchester, I stopped at Walpole, 
and it being on the Sabbath, I attended meeting. In 
the afternoon during service, a young woman was taken 
in a fit and carried out of the meeting-house. I went 
out to see her, and found that she had been subject to 
fits for some time. She was much bloated, and very 
large, weighing about three hundred. A few days after, 
her friends brought her to my house, and were very 
urgent that I should undertake to help her; but I told 
them I was satisfied that it would be a very difficult un- 
dertaking, and I did not feel willing to engage in it; 
but they were so urgent, I agreed to do what I could 
for her. Every time she took medicine, when *I first 
began with her, she would have a strong convulsion 
fit; but I soon got her to sweat freely, and her fits were 
at an end. By persevering in my usual plan of treat- 
ment, I got a natural perspiration, and her other evacu- 
ations became regular; she was considerably reduced 
in size, and I have never heard of her having any fits 



52 Narrative of the Life, <Sfc. 

since. The cause of her fits was taking sudden cold, 
and all perspiration and the greater part of other evacia- 
ations ceased, leaving the water in her body. 

In the fall of 1805, I was sent for to go to Rich- 
mond, to see the family of Elder Bowles, who were alt 
sick with the dysentery; and Mrs. Bowles had a cancer 
on her breast. I relieved them of their disorders by my 
usual mode of practice; and gave the woman medicine 
for the cancer, which relieved her. I had occasion to 
visit her again, and the tumor was about the size of an 
egg ; but by following my prescriptions, it was dissolved 
without causing any pain, and she has been well for 
twelve years. I then practised in different parts of 
Royalston and Warwick, and my practising in these 
places, was the way that my mode of sweating for the 
spotted fever, came to be known and practised by the 
physicians in Petersham. I had discovered the benefit 
of steaming by trying it upon my daughter two years 
before, and had been constantly practising it ever since; 
but the doctors, though they condemned me and my 
practice, were willing to introduce it and take the credit 
to themselves as an important discovery. 

After returning home, I was sent for to attend a 
woman in the neighborhood, who had been under the 
care of a celebrated doctor, for a cancer in her breast. 
He had tortured her with his caustics, till her breast 
was burnt through to the bone ; and by its corrosive na- 
ture, had caused the cords to draw up into knots; he 
had likewise burnt her leg to the cords. She had been 
under his care eleven weeks; until she was much wast- 
ed away, and her strength nearly gone. In this situa- 
tion the doctor was willing to get her off his hands, and 
wished me to take charge of her. After some hesita- 
tion, I consented, and attended her three weeks, in which 
time I healed up her sores, and cleared her of the humor 
so effectually, that she has ever since enjoyjed good 
health. 

While attending upon this case, another woman was 
brought to me from Hillsborough, who had a cancer 
on the back of her neck. I dissolved the tumor, and 
cured her by applying my cancer balsam, and the conv 



Of Samuel Thomson. 53 

mon course of medicine, in three weeks, without any 
pain; and she has ever since enjoyed good health. 

About this time I was called on to attend a woman in 
the town where I lived. She was an old maid, and had 
lately been married to a widower, who was very fond of 
her. She had been much disordered for many years, 
and was very spleeny; she had been under the care of 
several doctors without receiving any benefit. I visited 
her several times and gave general satisfaction; so much 
so that she allowed that I had done her more good than 
all the others that had attended her. A short time after 
I had done visiting her, the old man came out one 
morning to my house at sunrise, and I being about six 
miles from home, he came with all speed where I was, 
and said he wished me to come to his house as soon as 
possible, for his wife was very sick. I told him to re- 
turn, and I would be there as soon as he could. I soon 
after set out, and we both arrived there about the same 
time ; and I was very much astonished to find his wife 
about her work. I was asked into another room by the 
old man and his wife, and he said she had something to 
say to me. She then said that, "if I could not attend 
her without giving her love powder, she did not wish me 
to attend her at all." I was very much astonished at 
her speech, and asked what she meant. She said that 
ever since she had taken my medicine she had felt so 
curiously, that she did not know what to make of it. 
The old man affirmed to the same, and he thought that 
I had given her love powder, and did not know what the 
event might be. 

This foolish whim of the old man and his wife, caused 
a great bluster, and was food for those idle minds, who 
seem to take delight in slandering their neighbors; and 
was made a great handle of by the doctors, who spread 
all kinds of ridiculous stories about me during my ab- 
sence in the summer of 1806. In the autumn, when I 
had returned home, I found that a certain doctor of 
Alstead, had circulated some very foolish and slander- 
ous reports about me and the old woman, and had given 
to them so much importance, that many people believed 
them. I found that I could prove his assertions, and 
sued him for defamation; supposing that by appealing 
5# 



54 Narrative of the IAfe, fyc. 

to the laws of my country I could get redress; but I 
was disappointed in my expectations, for I was persuad- 
ed to leave the case to a reference, and he had raised 
such a strong prejudice in the minds of the people against 
me, that they were more ready to favor a man whom 
they considered great and learned, because he had been 
to college, than to do justice to me ;. so they gave the 
case against me, and I had to pay the cost. After this, 
I refused to attend those people who had assisted in 
injuring me, and gave them up to their fashionable doc- 
tor. A curse seemed to follow them and his practice ; 
for the spotted fever prevailed in this place soon after, 
and the doctor took charge of those who had sided with 
him against me, and if he had been a butcher and used 
the knife, there would not have been more destruction 
among them. Two men who swore falsely in his favor, 
and by whose means he got his cause, were among his 
first victims; and of the whole that he attended, about 
nine tenths died. He lost upwards of sixty patients in 
the town of Alstead in a short time. 

I attended the funeral of a young man, one of his 
patients, who was sick but twenty-four hours, and but 
twelve under the operation of his medicine. He was as 
black as a blackberry, and swelled so as to be difficult to 
screw down the lid of the coffin; when I went into the 
room where the corpse was. the doctor followed me, and 
gave directions to have the coffin secured so as to pre- 
vent the corpse from being seen ; and then began to insult 
me, to attract the attention of the people. He said to 
me, I understand, sir, that you have a patent to cure 
such disorders as that, pointing to the corpse. I said no, 
and at the same time intimated what I thought of him. 
He put on an air of great importance, and said to me, 
what can you know about medicine ? You have no learn- 
ing; you cannot parse one sentence in grammar. I 
told him I never knew that grammar was made use of as 
medicine ; but if a portion of grammar is so much like 
the operation of ratsbane, as appears on this corpse, I 
should never wish to know the use of it. This unex- 
pected application of the meaning of what he said, dis- 
pleased the medical gentleman very much; and finding 
that many of the people present had the same opinion 



Of Samuel Thomson, 55 

that I had, it irritated him so much, that he threatened 
to horsewhip me; but I^old him that he might do what 
he pleased to me, provided he did not poison me with 
his grammar. He did not attempt to carry his threat 
into execution, so I have escaped his whip and his poi- 
son; but the people were justly punished for their in- 
gratitude and folly, in preferring death and misery, be- 
cause it was done more fashionably, to a mode of prac- 
tice by which they might relieve themselves in a simple 
and safe manner.. 

I have been more particular in relating these circum- 
stances, in order to show my reasons for refusing to 
practise so near home; for I had been in constant prac- 
tice among them for four or five years, and had been 
very successful, not having lost one patient during the 
whole time. My house had been constantly filled with 
patients from all parts of the country, for which I had 
received very little pay; myself and family were worn 
out with nursing and attending upon them; so that I 
was compelled in a measure to leave home, to free my- 
self and family from so heavy a burthen. Besides, I 
felt it more a duty to assist the people in those parts 
where I had been treated with more friendship, and had 
received more assistance through my troubles, than what 
I had experienced from those whom I had reason to con- 
sider as under the greatest obligations to me. 

In the spring of the year 1806, I came to a determi- 
nation to go to New York, for the purpose of ascertain- 
ing the nature of the yellow fever, having been im- 
pressed with the idea, that this disease was similar to 
that which had been prevalent in different parts of the 
country, only differing in causes which were local. I 
made arrangements with a man to take charge of my 
farm, and on the 26th of June started for Boston, where 
I took passage for New York, and sailed on the third of 
July. In passing through the Sound, I was very sensi- 
bly affected by the cold chills I experienced in conse- 
quence of the sea air; having never been on the salt 
water before, this was new to me; although the weather 
was very hot on the land, I suffered with the cold. We 
arrived at New York in eight days; and the weather 
was extremely hot when I landed ; this sudden change 



56 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

produced a powerful effect on my feelings; the cause 
of which I was satisfied in my own mind, was in con- 
sequence of the cold I had experienced on the water, 
having reduced the natural heat of the body; thus, com- 
ing into a very warm atmosphere, the external and in- 
ternal heat were upon nearly an equal scale, and when 
there is an exact balance, so as to stop the determining 
powers to the surface, mortification immediately takes 
place, and death follows. This is the cause why the 
fever is so fatal to those who go from the northward into 
a warm climate. 

On my arrival, I looked round to find a place to board, 
and took up my lodgings with a Mr. Kavanagh, an 
Irishman, and a Roman Catholic. After spending some 
time in viewing the city, I applied to the Mayor of the 
city, and to the Board of Health, to ascertain whether I 
could have an opportunity to try the effect of my med- 
icine and system of practice on the prevailing fever. 
They told me that I could; but that I could get no pay 
for it by law. I went to see Dr. Miller, who was then 
President of the board of health, and had some conver- 
sation with him upon the subject. He told me the same 
as the Mayor had, and inquired of me in what manner 
I expected to give relief; I told him my plan was to 
cause perspiration. He said if I could cause them to 
sweat, he thought there was a good chance to effect a 
cure. 

After spending several days in New York, I went 
to West Chester Creek to procure some medicine. I 
thought that I was going to have the yellow fever, for 
I felt all the symptoms, as I thought, of that disease; 
my strength was nearly gone, my eyes were yellow, 
and a noise in my head; my tongue was black, and 
what passed my bowels was like tar. I was among 
strangers, and had little money; I went to the house of 
a Quaker woman, and asked her to let me stay with her 
that day; she gave her consent. Had but little medi- 
cine with me, and could find nothing that I could relish 
but salt and vinegar; I used about half a pint of salt, 
and double that quantity of vinegar, which gave me 
relief, and I gained so much strength, that the next day 
I was able to return to the city of New York. On my 



Of Samuel Thomson. 57 

arrival there, I was so weak that it was with the greatest 
difficulty I could walk to my b6arding house, which was 
about forty rods from the place where we landed. I im- 
mediately took Nos. 2 and 3, steeped, and No. 4; in a 
short time, I began to have an appetite; the first food 
that I took was a piece of smoked salmon, and some 
ripe peach sauce. I soon recovered my strength and 
was able to be about. This satisfied me that I had 
formed a correct idea of this fatal disease; that it was 
the consequence of losing the inward heat of the body, 
and bringing it to a balance with the surrounding air; 
and the only method by which a cure can be effected, 
is by giving such medicine as will increase the fever or 
inward heat to such a degree as to get the determining 
power to the surface, by which means perspiration will 
take place, and which is called the turn of the fever; if 
this is not accomplished either by medicine, or by 
nature being sufficient to overcome the disease, morti- 
fication will be as certain a consequence as it would be 
if a person was strangled. The reason why they lose 
their strength in so short a time, is because it depends 
wholly upon the power of inward heat; and as much as 
they lose of that, so much they lose of their strength and 
activity. 

I had a good opportunity to prove these facts, and to 
satisfy myself, by attending upon a Mr. M'Gowan, who 
had the yellow fever. He was the teacher of the 
Roman Catholic school, and an acquaintance of Mr. 
Kavanagh, with whom I boarded, and who recommend- 
ed him to my care. He was attacked about noon, was 
very cold, and had no pain; his eyes were half closed, 
and appeared like a person half way between sleeping 
and waking; he lost so much strength that in two hours 
he was unable to walk across the room without stagger- 
ing. I began with him by giving Nos. 2 and 3, to raise 
the inward heat and clear the stomach, and in an hour 
after getting him warm, he was in very extreme pain, 
so much so that his friends were alarmed about him; 
but I told them that it was a favorable symptom. After 
being in this situation about an hour, perspiration began 
and he grew easy; the next day he was out about his 
business. The effect in these cases is exactly similar 



58 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

to a person being recovered after having been drown- 
ed. The cold having overpowered the inward heat, 
all sensation or feeling ceases, and of course there is 
no pain; but as soon as the heat begins to increase, so 
as to contend with the cold, sensation returns, and the 
pain will be very great till the victory is gained by heat 
having expelled the cold from the body, when a natural 
perspiration commences, and nature is restored to her 
empire. • 

I will here make a few remarks upon the food taken 
into the stomach, which is of the utmost importance to 
the preservation of health. While I was in New Yerk, 
I took particular notice of their manner of living; and 
observed that they subsisted principally upon fresh 
provisions, more particularly the poorer class of people; 
who are in the habit in warm weather of going to mar- 
ket at a late hour of the day, and purchasing fresh meat 
that is almost in a putrid state, having frequently been 
killed the night previous, and being badly cooked, by 
taking it into the stomach, will produce^ certain disease; 
and I am convinced that this is one of the greatest 
causes that those fatal epidemics prevail in the hot 
season, in our large seaports. Mutton and lamb is often 
drove a great distance from the country, and having been 
heated and fatigued, then are cooled suddenly, which 
causes the fat to turn to water; and often when killed, 
are in almost a putrid state, and the meat is soft and 
flabby. Such meat as this, when brought into the mar- 
ket on a hot day, will turn green under the kidneys in 
two or three hours, and taken into the stomach will pu- 
trify before it digests, and will communicate the same to 
the stomach, and the whole body will be so affected by 
it, as to cause disorders of the worst kind. If people 
would get into the practice of eating salt provisions in 
hot weather, and fresh in cold, it would be a very great 
preventive of disease. One ounce of putrid flesh in the 
stomach is worse than the effect produced by a whole 
carcass on the air by its effluvia. Much more might be 
said upon this important subject; but I shall defer it for 
the present, and shall treat more upon it in another part 
of the work. It is a subject that has been too much ne- 
glected by our health officers in this country. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 59 

While in the city of New York, I attended an Irish- 
man by the name of Doyle, who had the fever-and-ague. 
This disease gives a complete view of my theory of heat 
and cold; for it is about an equal balance between the 
two, heat keeping a little the upper hand. He had been 
afflicted with this distressing disorder about four months; 
he had the fits most of the time every day and was very 
bad. I began by giving him such medicine as I usually 
gave to increase the inward heat of the body, which sub- 
dued the cold, and gave heat the victory over it; and by 
strictly attending him in this way four days, he was com- 
pletely cured. Being short of money, I asked him for 
some compensation for my trouble; but he refused, and 
never paid me a cent; observing that he must have been 
getting well before, for no one ever heard of such a dis- 
order being cured in four days. 

A gentleman whom I had formed an acquaintance 
with, by the name of James Quackenbush, who had the 
care of the state prison warehouse, finding how I had 
been treated, invited me to go to his house and live with 
him, which I thankfully accepted. I was treated with 
much kindness by him, for which he has my most sincere 
thanks. 

On the 16th of September I started for home; and 
took passage on board a packet for Boston, where I ar- 
rived in five days; and on the 26th reached my home, 
after an absence of three months, and found my family 
well. I was often called on to practise in the neigh- 
borhood; but declined most part of the applications, in 
consequence of the treatment I had received from them, 
which has been before related. In November, I went 
to Plum Island to collect medicine ; on my way I called 
on Joseph Hale, Esq., of Pepperell, and engaged him 
to come down with his wagon in about three .weeks, 
to bring back what medicine I should collect. I went 
by the way of Newburyport; and after being on the 
Island three or four days, collected such roots as I 
wanted and returned to that place. While there, being 
in a store in conversation with some persons, there came 
m a man from Salisbury mills, by the name of Osgood, 
who stated that he was very unwell, and that his wife 
lay at the point of death, with the lung fever; that she 



60 Narrative of the Life, <$rc. 

had been attended by Dr. French, who had given her 
over. One of the gentlemen standing by, told him that 
I was a doctor, and used the medicine of our own coun- 
try. He asked me if I would go home with him, and 
see his wife. As I was waiting for Mr. Hale, and had 
nothing to do, I told him I \yould, and we immediately 
started in the chaise for his home, which was about six 
miles. On our arrival, he introduced me to his wife as 
a doctor who made use of the medicine of our country; 
and asked her if she was willing that I should undertake 
to cure her. She said if I thought that I could help her 
she had no objection. I gave my opinion that I could, 
and undertook, though with some reluctance, as I was in 
a strange place, and no one that I knew. I proceeded 
with her in my usual method of practice, and in about 
fourteen hours her fever turned, and the next day she 
was comfortable, and soon got about. 

This cure caused considerable talk among the people 
in the neighborhood, who thought very favorably of me 
and my practice; but it soon came to the ears of Dr. 
French, who was very much enraged to think one of his 
patients, that he had given over, should be cured by one 
whom he called a quack; and attempted to counteract 
the public impression in my favor, by circulating a re- 
port that the woman was getting better, and sat up the 
greatest part of the day before I saw her; but this was 
denied by the woman's husband, and known by many to 
be false. 

While I remained in this place, waiting for Mr. Hale 
to come down with his wagon to carry home my med- 
icine, I was called on to attend several cases, in all of 
which I was very successful; most of them were such 
as had been given over by the doctors. One of them 
was the case of a young man, who had cut three of his 
fingers very badly, so as to lay open the joints. Dr. 
French had attended him three weeks, and they had 
got so bad that he advised him to have them cut off, as 
the only alternative. The young man applied to me 
for advice. I told him if I was in his situation, I 
should not be willing to have them cut off til! I had 
made some further trial to cure them without. He 
requested me to undertake to cure him, to which I 



Of Samuel Thomson. 61 

consented and began by clearing the wound of mercury, 
by washing it with weak lye; I then put on some drops, 
and did it up with a bandage, which was kept wet with 
cold water. While I was dressing the wound, a young 
man, who was studying with Dr. French, came in and 
made a great fuss, telling the young man that I was 
going to spoil his hand. I told him that I was account- 
able for what I was doing, and that if he had any advice 
to offer I was ready to hear him; but he seemed to have 
nothing to offer except to find fault, and went off, after 
saying that Dr. French's bill must be paid very soon. I 
continued to dress his hand, and in ten days he was 
well enough to attend to his work, being employed in a 
nail factory. Soon after, I saw him there at work, and 
asked him how his fingers did ; he said they were per- 
fectly cured; he wished to know what my bill was for 
attending him. I asked him what Dr. French had 
charged, and he said he had sent his bill to his mother, 
amounting to seventeen dollars; I told him I thought 
that enough for us both, and I should charge him 
nothing. His mother was a poor widow depending on 
her labor and that of her son for a living. I remained 
in this place about two weeks, and the people were very 
urgent that I should stay longer; but Mr. Hale having 
arrived, I left them with a promise that I would visit 
them again in the spring. We arrived at Pepperell, 
where I remained several days with Mr. Hale, who was 
an ingenious blacksmith and a chemist, having been 
much engaged in the preparation of mineral medicine. 
He had an inquiring turn of mind, and was very en- 
thusiastic in his undertakings; although he prepared 
medicines from minerals, he acknowledged that he was 
afraid to use them on account of his knowing their 
poisonous qualities. I convinced him of the superiority 
of my system of practice, and instructed him in the use 
of my medicine, so that he engaged in it and soon had 
as much practice as he could attend to; being so well 
satisfied of its general application to the cure of all cases 
of disease, that he looked no more for it in his mineral 
preparations. 

In the winter of 1807, I went with my wife to Jeri- 
cho, Vermont, to visit my father and friends who lived 
6 



62 Narrative of the Isife, §c. 

there. While there I was called on to see a number 
who were sick, among whom was a young man that had 
been taken in what is called cramp convulsion fits. 
He was first taken on Sunday morning, and continued 
in fits most of the time till Tuesday ; he was attended 
during this time by the best doctors that could be pro- 
cured, without doing him any good. They could not 
get their medicine to have any effect upon him; he con- 
tinued in convulsions most of the time ; every part of him 
was as stiff as a wooden image ; after trying every thing 
they could they gave him over. His father came after 
me, and just as we entered the room where the young 
man was, he was taken in a fit. His feet and hands 
were drawn in towards his body, his jaws were set, his 
head drawn back, and every part of him as completely 
fixed as a statue. The first difficulty was to get him to 
take any thing; his jaws were set as tight together as a 
vise. I took a solution of Nos. 1, 2 and 6, as strong as 
it could be made, and putting my finger into the corner 
of his mouth, making a space between his cheek and 
teeth, poured some of it down; and as soon as it touched 
the glands at the roots of his tongue, his jaws came open, 
and he swallowed some of the medicine ; which had such 
an effect upon the stomach, that all the spasms immedi- 
ately ceased. I left him some medicine with directions, 
and he entirely recovered his health; I saw him three 
years after, and he told me that he had not had a fit 
since the one above described. I was convinced from 
this circumstance, that the cause of all cramps or spasms 
of this kind, is seated in the stomach, and that all appli- 
cations for relief in such cases should be made there ; as 
it will be of no service to work on the effect as long as 
the cause remains. 

Before returning home, I was called on by Captain 
Lyman, of Jericho, to advise with me concerning his 
son, who had a fever sore on his thigh, with which he 
had been afflicted for seven years. He had been at- 
tended by all the doctors in that part of the country to 
no advantage. They had decided that the only thing 
which could be done to help him, was to lay open his 
thigh and scrape the bone. I told him that I did not 
see how they could do that without cutting the great 



Of Samuel Thomson. 63 

artery, which lay close to the bone, where they would 
have to cut. He said he was satisfied that it would not 
do, and was very urgent that I should undertake with 
him. I told him that it was impossible for me to stay 
at that time; but if his son would go home with me, I 
would undertake to cure him; to which he consented, 
and the young man returned with me ; which was in the 
month of March. I began with him by giving medicine 
to correct and strengthen the system ; bathed the wound 
with my rheumatic drops, or No. 6, sometimes bathing 
with cold water to strengthen it, and after proceeding in 
this manner for about a month, he was well enough to 
do some work; he remained with me till August, when 
he was entirely cured, so that he was able to return to 
his father's on foot, a distance of one hundred miles. 

In the fall of this year, the dysentery, or camp dis- 
temper, as it was called, was very prevalent in the above 
named town of Jericho; and was so mortal that all but 
two who had the disease and were attended by the doc- 
tors, died, having lost above twenty in a short time. The 
inhabitants were much alarmed, and held a consultation, 
to advise what to do; and being informed by the young 
man above mentioned, that I was at home, they sent an 
express for me, and I immediately made arrangements to 
comply with their request. In twenty-four hours I start- 
ed, and arrived there on the third day after, and found 
them waiting with great anxiety for me, having refused 
to take any thing from the doctors. I had an interview 
with the Selectmen of the town, who had taken upon 
themselves the care of the sick; they informed me that 
there were about thirty then sick, and wished me to un- 
dertake the care of them. I agreed to take charge of 
them on condition that I could have two men to assist me ; 
this was complied with, and I commenced my practice 
upon thirty in the course of three days. The disorder 
was the most distressing of any that I had ever witnessed, 
One man had been speechless for six hours, and was sup- 
posed to be dying; but on my giving him some medicine 
to warm him, he seemed to revive like an insect that was 
warmed by the sun after having laid in a torpid state 
through the winter. I had but little medicine with me, 
and had to use such as I could procure at this place. I 



64 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

found the cause of the disease to be coldness and canker; 
the digestive powers being lost, the stomach became clog- 
ged, so that it would not hold the heat. I made use of 
red pepper steeped in a tea of sumac leaves, sweetened, 
and sometimes the bark and berries, to raise the heat and 
clear off the canker, which had the desired effect. After 
taking this tea, those who were strong enough, I placed 
over a steam, as long as they could bear it, and then put 
them in bed. Those who were too weak to stand, I con- 
trived to have sit over steam; and this repeated as oc- 
casion required. To restore the digestive powers, I made 
use of cherry stones, having procured a large quantity 
of them, that had been laid up and the worms had eaten 
off all the outside, leaving the stones clean. I pounded 
them fine, then made a tea of black birch bark, and 
after cleaning them, by putting them into this hot tea, 
and separating the meats from the stone part, made a 
syrup by putting from two to three ounces of sugar to 
one quart of the liquor; this was given freely, and an- 
swered a good purpose. I continued to attend upon my 
patients, aided by those appointed to assist me, and in 
eight days I had completely subdued the disease. They 
all recovered except two, who were dying when I first 
saw them. I gave the same medicine to the nurses and 
those exposed to the disease, as to them that were sick, 
which prevented their having the disorder. The same 
thing will prevent disease that will cure it. 

After finishing my practice at this place, I was sent 
for and went to the town of Georgia, about thirty miles 
distance, where I practised with general success for one 
week, and then returned to Jericho. Those patients 
whom I had attended, were comfortable, and soon entire- 
ly recovered. The doctors were not very well pleased 
with my success, because I informed the people how to 
cure themselves, and they have had no need of their as- 
sistance in that disorder since. They circulated reports 
for twenty miles round, that I killed all that I attended; 
but the people were all perfectly satisfied with my prac-^ 
tice, and were willing to give me all credit for my skill,, 
so their malice towards me was of no avail. 

About this time being in the town of Bridgewater, -Vt. 
I was called on to see a young man about eighteen year& 



Of Samuel Thomson. 67 

A man who was one of the friends of Dr. French, and 
who had been very inimical to me, doing all in his 
power to injure and ridicule me, sent word one day by a 
child, that his calf was sick, and he wanted me to come 
and give it a green powder and a sweat. Knowing that 
his object was to insult, I returned for answer, that he 
must send for Dr. French, and if he could not cure it, I 
would come, for that was the way that I had to practise 
here. It so happened that the calf died soon after, and 
his youngest child was taken suddenly and very dan- 
gerously sick. Not long after, he found another calf 
dead in the field, and about the same time his oldest son 
was taken sick. These things happening in such an ex- 
traordinary manner, caused him to reflect on his conduct 
towards me, and his conscience condemned him, for try- 
ing to injure me without cause. He had the folly to be- 
lieve, or the wickedness to pretend to believe, that it was 
the effect of witchcraft; and wishing to make his peace 
with me, sent me word, that if I would let his family 
alone, he would never do or say any thing more to my 
injury. This I readily assented to; and his children 
soon after getting well, though there was nothing very 
extraordinary in it, as it might all be easily accounted 
for by natural causes; yet it afforded much conversa- 
tion among the gossips, and idle busy-bodies in* the 
neighborhood; and was made use of by my enemies 
to prejudice the people against me. Being in company 
with a young woman who belonged to a family that were 
my enemies, she, to insult me, asked me to tell her for- 
tune. I consented, and knowing her character not to 
be the most virtuous, and to amuse myself at her ex- 
pense, told what had taken place between her and a 
certain young man the night before. She seemed struck 
with astonishment; and said that she was convinced that 
I was a wizzard, for it was impossible that I could have 
known it without the devil had told me. She did not 
wish me to tell her any more. 

I practised in this place and vicinity a few months and 
returned home to attend to my farm for the rest of the 
season. While at home I was sent for, and attended in 
different parts of the country, and was very successful in 
my mode of practice, particularly in places where the 



68 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

dysentery and fevers were most prevalent ; never failing 
in any instance of giving relief, and completely putting a 
check to those alarming epidemics, which caused so much 
terror in many places in the interior of the country. 

In the year of 1808, I went again to Salisbury, and on 
my way there, stopped at Pelham, and attended and gave 
relief in several cases of disease. On my arrival at 
Salisbury Mills, where I made it my home, I was imme- 
diately called on to practise in that place and the adja- 
cent towns. Many came to me from different parts, 
whose cases were desperate, having been given over by 
the doctors, such as humors, dropsies, mortifications, 
fellons, consumptions, &c. Fevers were so quickly 
cured, and with so little trouble, that many were un- 
willing to believe they had the disease. My success was 
so great, that the people generally were satisfied of the 
superiority of my mode of practice over all others. 
This created considerable alarm with the doctors, and 
those who sided with them. Dr. French seemed to be 
much enraged, and having failed to destroy my credit 
with the people by false reports, and ridiculous state- 
ments of witchcraft, shifted his course of proceeding, 
and attempted to frighten me by threats, which only 
tended to show the malice he bore me- for no other 
reason, that I could conceive of, as I had never spoken 
to him, than because of my success* in relieving those 
he had given over to die. He would frequently cause 
me to be sent for in great haste to attend some one in 
his neighborhood, who was stated to be very sick; but 
I saw through these tricks, and avoided all their snares. 
It seemed to be his determination, if he failed in de- 
stroying my practice, to destroy me. Being in company 
one day at Salisbury village, with Mr. Jeremiah Eaton, 
of Exeter, whose wife was under my care for a dropsi- 
cal complaint, I was sent for 'four times to visit a young 
man at the house of Dr. French; the last time, a man 
came on horseback in the greatest haste, and insisted 
that I should go and see him. I asked why Dr. French 
did not attend him; he answered that he had rather 
have me. Being convinced, from the appearance of 
things, that it was an attempt to put some trick upon 
me, I refused to go, and the man returned. In a short 



Of Samuel Thomson. 65 

of age, who had lost the use of his arm by a strain; it 
had been in a perishing condition for six months. The 
flesh appeared to be dead, and he carried it in a sling; 
his health was bad. Being unable to stop to do anything 
for him at this time, he was sent to my house. I began 
with him in my usual manner, by giving him warm med- 
icine, and bathed his arm with the oil of spearmint; in 
about ten days, he was well enough to use his arm and 
do some work; in about two months he was entirely 
cured and returned home. 

In the spring of the year 1807, I went to Salisbury, 
according to my promise when there the fall before. 
On my way there, I stopped at Pelham; the man at 
whose house I staid, insisted on my going to see his 
father-in-law, who had the rheumatism very bad, having 
been confined two months. I attended him three days, 
when he was able to walk some, by the assistance of a 
cane; he soon got about and was comfortable. While 
at this place I was sent for to a young woman, sick of a 
consumption; she had been a long time attended by a 
doctor, who seemed very willing for my advice; I car- 
ried her through a course of my medicine, and the 
doctor staid to see the operation of it; he seemed well 
pleased with my system of practice, and gave me much 
credit, saying that I was the first person he ever knew 
that could make his medicine do as he said it would. I 
was sent for to attend several cases of consumption and 
other complaints at this time, in all of which I met with 
success, and gave general satisfaction to the people. 

After stopping at Pelham three weeks, in which time 
I had as much practice as I could attend to, I went to 
Salisbury Mills, where I was very cordially welcomed by 
all those who had been attended by me the season be- 
fore. I was called on to practise in this place and 
Newburyport, and my success was so great that it caus- 
ed much alarm among the doctors, and a class of the 
people who were their friends, who did all they could to 
injure me, and destroy my credit with the people. A 
considerable part of the patients, who were put under 
my care, were such as the doctors had given over, and 
those being cured by me, had a tendency to open the 
6* 



66 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

eyes of the people, and give them a correct understand- 
ing of the nature of their practice, and convince them 
that a simple and speedy cure was more for their interest 
and comfort, than long sickness, pain, and distress; be- 
sides having to pay exorbitant doctors' bills, for useless 
visits and poisonous drugs, which have no other effect 
than to prolong disease, and destroy the natural consti- 
tution of the patient. 

Among those doctors who seemed so much enraged 
against me, for no other reason that I could learn, than 
because I had cured people whom they had given over, 
and instructed them to assist themselves when sick, 
without having to apply to them; there was none that 
made themselves so conspicuous as Dr. French. I had 
considerable practice in his neighborhood, and was 
very successful in every case; this seemed to excite 
his malice against me to the greatest pitch; he made 
use of every means in his power, and took every op- 
portunity to insult and abuse me both to my face and 
behind my back. A few of the inhabitants who were 
his friends, joined with him, and became his instru- 
ments to injure me ; but a large proportion of the peo- 
ple were friendly to me, and took great interest in my 
safety and success. The doctor and his adherents 
spread all kinds of ridiculous reports concerning me 
and my practice, giving me the name of the old wiz- 
zard; and that my cures were done under the power 
of witchcraft. This foolish whim was too ridiculous 
for me to undertake to contradict, and I therefore rather 
favored it merely for sport ; many remarkable circum- 
stances took place tending to strengthen this belief, and 
some of the silly and weak-minded people really believ- 
ed that I possessed supernatural powers. This will 
nc£ appear so strange, when we take into view, that 
the people generally were ignorant of my system of 
practice, and when they found that I could cure those 
diseases that the doctors, in whom they had been in the 
habit of putting all their confidence, pronounced as in- 
curable; and that I could turn a fever in two days, 
which would often take them as many months^ they 
were led to believe that there was something supernat- 
ural in it. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 69 

time after, Dr French came into the village, and Mr. 
Eaton, who was present when they came after me, asked 
him what ailed the young man at his house; he said 
nothing, but that he was as well as any body. This re- 
vealed the whole secret. Mr. Eaton then asked him 
why he caused me to be sent for so many times, under a 
false pretence. He said to see if I dared to come into 
his neighborhood; that he did not care how much I 
practised on that side of the river; but if I came on his, 
he would blow my brains out; that I was a murderer, 
and he could prove it. Mr. Eaton observed that it was 
a heavy accusation to make against a man, and that he 
ought to be made to prove his words, or to suffer the con- 
sequence; that his wife was under my care, and if I 
was a murderer, he ought to see to it. Dr. French again 
repeated the words, with many threats against me, and 
showed the spite and malice of a savage. 

Mr. Eaton and others of my friends considered my life 
in danger; and came immediately to me and related 
what had been said by the doctor; and advised me to 
be on my guard. I had to pass his house every day to 
visit my patients; but did not consider myself safe in 
going in the night, nor in the daytime without some 
one with me. I continued in this manner for several 
days, and finding his malice towards me to be as great 
as ever, and still continuing his threats; with the ad- 
vice of my friends, I was induced, to have resort to the 
law for protection. I went to Newburyport and enter- 
ed a complaint against him before a magistrate, who 
granted a warrant, and he was brought before him for 
a trial. My case was made out by fully proving his 
words; he asked for an adjournment for three hours to 
make his defence, which was granted. He then brought 
forward evidence in support of his character, and prov- 
ed by them that he had always been a man of his 
word. The Justice told him that he thought he proved 
too much, and to his disadvantage, for it had been fully 
proved that he had made the threats alleged against 
him, and to prove that he was a man of his word, 
went to satisfy the court that the complaint was well 
grounded. He was laid under two hundred dollars 
bonds to keep the peace and appear at the next court 



70 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

of common pleas. He appeared at the next court, was 
ordered to pay all the costs, and was discharged from 
his bail. This was an end of our controversy for that 
time; but his malice continued against me long after; 
seeking every means to destroy me and prevent my prac- 
tising, that he could devise; but proceeded with more 
caution, which caused me a great deal of trouble and 
much suffering, as will be hereafter related. 

I continued to practise in this place, and had as many 
patients as I could possibly attend upon, notwithstand- 
ing the opposition I constantly met with from the doctors 
and their friends; for with all their arts and falsehoods 
they were not able to prevent those laboring under com- 
plaints, which they had found could not be removed by 
the fashionable mode of treatment, from applying to me 
for relief; none of whom but what were either cured or 
received great relief by the practice. Some of the most 
extraordinary cases I shall give a particular account of 
for the information of the reader. 

Mr. Jabez True, the minister of Salisbury, was afflict- 
ed with what the doctors called nettle-rash, or what is 
commonly called St. Anthony's fire. He stated to me 
that it was caused by fighting fire, about twenty-five 
years before, and that he had been subject to a breaking 
out ever since; which at certain times was very painful 
and troublesome, as it felt like the sting of bees, and 
would swell all over his body. He had applied to all 
the doctors in those parts for their advice, but got no 
assistance from them. I told him that he had heated 
himself to such a degree by violent exercise, and being 
exposed to the fire, that there was nearly a balance be- 
tween the outward and inward heat, and then cooling 
too sudden, the inward heat had fallen as much below 
the natural state as it had been above it before, and the 
only way to effect a cure was to bring him into the 
same state as he was in when fighting the fire. He 
wished me to undertake his case. I carried him through 
a course of my medicine, and made use of every means 
in my power to raise the inward heat, pursuing my plan 
with all zeal for two days; when he became alarmed, 
and said he felt as though he should die, for he felt the 
same as he did when he was fighting the fire. I then 



Of Samuel Thomson. 71 

kept him in that situation as much as possible; and it 
went down gradually so as to hold a natural proportion 
of heat. My plan succeeded so completely, that he was 
perfectly cured and has enjoyed good health ever since. 
I attended upon his wife at the same time, who had been 
long in a consumption, and had been given over. She 
was perfectly cured; and they are now (in 1822) living 
in good health and are ready to testify to the truth of 
these statements. 

Previously to my difficulty with Dr. French, as has 
been before mentioned, Mrs. Eaton and another woman 
by the name of Lifford, came to me at Salisbury Mills 
from Exeter. Their complaint was dropsy; and were 
both desperate cases, having been given over by the 
doctor who had attended them. Mrs. Eaton was swell- 
ed to such a degree, that she could not see her knees 
as she sat in a chair, and her limbs in proportion. I 
felt unwilling to undertake with them, as I considered 
there would be but little chance of a cure ; and declin- 
ed idoing any thing for them, and sent them away, 
stating that there was no place that they could get 
boarded. They went away as I supposed to go home; 
but they soon returned, and said they had found a place 
where they could stay, and a young woman had agreed 
to nurse them. I undertook with them very reluctant- 
ly; but could not well avoid it. I gave* them some 
medicine, and it operated favorably on both, especially 
on Mrs. Lifford; then gave strict orders to the nurse, 
to attend them attentively through the night, and keep 
up a perspiration ; but she almost totally neglected her 
duty, spending her time with the young people. On 
visiting them in the morning, I was very much hurt to 
find my directions neglected. Mrs. Lifford was quite 
poorly ; and stated to me that the nurse had neglected 
her, and that she had got her feet out of bed; her per- 
spiration had ceased, and other symptoms appeared un- 
favorable. 

I attended upon her through the day and did all I could 
to relieve her, but could not raise a perspiration again. 
She continued till the next night about midnight and 
died. My hopes of doing her any good were small; but 
think that if she had not been neglected by the nurse, 



72 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

t 

there might have been some small chance for her, as the 
first operation of the medicine was so favorable. Her 
bowels were in a very bad state, and had been almost in 
a mortified condition for three weeks, and what passed 
her was by force, and very black. 

This caused great triumph among my enemies, and 
Dr. French tried to have a jury on the body; but he 
could not prevail ; for the circumstances were well known 
to many, and all that knew any thing about it, cleared 
me from all blame. The nurse said that I did all I could, 
and if there was any blame it ought to fall on her and 
not on me. So they failed in their attempt to make me 
out a murderer; but this case was laid up to be brought 
against me at another time. This shows what may be 
done by the folly of people, and the malice and wicked- 
ness of designing men, who care more for their own in- 
terested ends, than for the health and happiness of a 
whole community. The fashionable educated doctor 
may lose one half his patients without being blamed; but 
if I lose one out of several hundred of the most desper- 
ate cases, most of which were given over as incurable, 
it is called murder. 

Mrs. Eaton remained under my care about three weeks, 
in which time she was reduced in size eight inches; she 
then returned home to Exeter. I had several cases of 
dropsy and consumption from the same town, about this 
time, who were all relieved; all of them were very 
solicitous for me to go to Exeter and practise. As soon 
as I could get the patients under my care in a situa- 
tion to leave them, I left Salisbury Mills, and went to 
Exeter, and commenced practising in my usual way, 
and was applied to from all parts. I had not so many 
to attend as I had in some places; but they were all 
of the most desperate nature, such as had been given 
over by the doctors, in all of which I met with great 
success. Many of the cases had been attended by Dr. 
Shephard; he had attended with me upon his patients 
at Salisbury; was a very plain, candid sort of a man, 
and treated me with much civility. I well remember 
his first speech to me, which was in the following words: 
"Well, what are you doing here, are you killing or 
curing the people?" I replied, you must judge about 



Of Samuel Thomson. 73 

that for yourself. "Well," said he, "I will watch 
you, not for fear of your doing harm, but for my own 
information; I wish you well, and will do you ail the 
good I can.' 5 I always found him candid and friendly, 
without any hypocrisy. He once called on me to visit 
with him one of his patients in the town where he 
lived, who had the rheumatism in his back .and hips. 
The doctor had attended him about two months, and 
said he had killed the pain, but his back was stiff, so 
that he could not bring his hands below his knees. I 
attended him about forty-eight hours, and then went 
with him to see the doctor, which was half a mile ; the 
doctor appeared to be much pleased to see him so well, 
and have the use of his limbs; for he could stoop and 
use them as well as he ever could. He said that he 
was as glad for the young man's sake as though he had 
cured him himself. He frequently came to see Mrs. 
Eaton, whom I was attending for the dropsy; and ex- 
pressed much astonishment at the effect the medicine 
I gave had in relieving her of a disease which he had 
considered incurable. At one time when conversing 
with her upon her situation, and finding her so much 
better, having been reduced in size above fifteen inches, 
he expressed himself with some warmth on the occa- 
sion, saying, that it was what he had never seen or 
heard of being done before, and what he had consider- 
ed impossible to be done with medicine. Addressing 
himself to me with much earnestness, inquired how it 
was that I did it. I replied, you know doctor that the 
heat had gone out of the body, and the water had filled 
it up; and all I had to do was to build fire enough in 
the body to boil away the water. He burst into a laugh, 
and said that it was a system very short. 

While practising in Exeter, I had many desperate 
cases from the different parts of the country, and from 
Portsmouth. One from the latter place I shall mention, 
being different from what I had before witnessed. A 
woman applied to me who had the venereal, in conse- 
quence, as she stated, of having had a bad husband; 
which I believed to be true. She had been attended 
by the doctors in Portsmouth for nearly a year, who 
had filled her with mercury, for the purpose of curing 
7 



74 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

the disorder till the remedy had become much worse 
than the disease. Her case was alarming, and very 
difficult; she was brought on a bed, being unable to sit 
up; and seemed to be one mass of putrefaction. I pro- 
ceeded with her in my usual way of treating all cases 
where the system is greatly disordered, by giving medi- 
cine to promote perspiration, steaming to throw out the 
mercury, and restore the digestive powers; and in three 
weeks she returned home entirely cured. Another 
woman came to me from the same place, who had been 
sick five years, which had been in consequence of hav- 
ing had the same disease, and the doctors had filled her 
with mercury to kill the disorder, as they called it, then 
left her to linger out a miserable existence. When she 
stated her case to me, I felt very unwilling to under- 
take with her, apprehending that it would be very un- 
certain whether a cure could be effected, having been 
of so long standing; but she insisted upon it so strong- 
ly, that I could not put her off. After attending upon 
her three weeks, however, her health was restored, and 
she returned home well; and in less than a year after, 
she had two children at one birth. She had not had a 
child for eight years before. This disease is very easily 
cured in the first stages of it, by a common course of 
medicine, being nothing more than a high stage of can- 
ker seated in the glands of certain parts of the body, 
and if not cured, communicates to the glands of the 
throat and other parts; by giving mercury, the whole 
system is completely disordered, and although the dis- 
ease may disappear, it is not cured; and there is more 
difficulty in getting the mercury out of the body of one 
in this situation, than to cure a dozen of the disease who 
have not taken this dangerous poison. 

While in Exeter, I had a case of a young man, son of 
Col. Nathaniel Gilman, who was in a decline. He was 
about fourteen years old, and had been troubled with 
bleeding at the nose. They had made use of such pow- 
erful astringents, with corrosive sublimate snuffed up his 
nose, that the blood vessels in that part seemed to be 
shrunk up, and his flesh much wasted away; I carried 
him through a course of medicine, and gave an equal 
circulation of blood through the body, and stopped its 



Of Samuel Thomson. 75 

course to the head; then raised a natural perspiration, 
restored the digestive powers, and regulated the system, 
so as to support the body with food instead of medicine. 
In a short time he recovered his health so that he com- 
manded a company of militia at the alarm at Portsmouth, 
during the late war. 

My success while at this place, and the many extra- 
ordinary cures I performed, gained me great credit 
among the people; but the medical faculty became 
much alarmed, and made use of every artifice to preju- 
dice them against me. The foolish stories about witch- 
craft, which had been made a handle of at Salisbury, 
were repeated here, with a thousand other ridiculous 
statements for the purpose of injuring me; but I treat- 
ed them with contempt, as not worthy my notice, except 
in some instances, to amuse myself with the credulity 
of the ignorant, who were foolish enough to believe 
such nonsense. I will relate one circumstance for the 
purpose of showing upon what grounds they founded 
their belief of my possessing supernatural powers, and 
which caused much talk among the people at the time 
it happened. Mrs. Eaton, where I boarded, had a five 
dollar bill stolen out of her pocket book. She made 
inquiry of all the family, who denied having any knowl- 
edge of it. A girl that lived in the family denied it so 
strongly, that I thought she discovered guilt, and led 
me to believe that she had taken the money. I pre- 
tended that I could certainly discover who stole the 
money, which was believed by many; and told Mrs. 
Eaton, in presence of all the family, that if I did not tell 
who took it by the next day at twelve o'clock, I would 
pay the amount lost myself. In the evening I had them 
all called into the room, and took the Bible and read 
from the law of Moses the penalty for stealing; then 
took the purse and put it into the place, and shut the 
book and gave it to Mrs. Eaton, with strict injunction 
to put it under her pillow and let no one touch it; and 
that the person who stole the money could have no peace 
nor rest till he or she confessed his or her guilt. They 
then all retired to bed. As soon as it was daylight in the 
morning the girl came down stairs crying, and went to the 
bed where Mrs. Eaton lay, and confessed that she took 



76 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

the money, saying that she had not slept any during the 
night, as I had said would be the case. It will be unne- 
cessary to inform the reader, that this wonderful discov- 
ery was brought about by the effect of a guilty conscience 
on a credulous and weak mind. 

While I was at ILxeter, a woman brought her son to 
me, who had a fever sore, so called, on his hip; he 
had been in this situation so long, without any assist- 
ance, that his legs had perished, and he was so much 
wasted away by the continual discharge of the sore, and 
his nature had become so far spent, that I felt perfectly 
satisfied that a cure was impracticable, and declined 
undertaking with him. This honest declaration on my 
part very much affronted the boy's mother, and she 
turned against me and did me all the hurt she could, 
because I would not undertake to do what I knew was- 
impossible for any one to accomplish. She went with 
her son to a fashionable doctor, who said he would cure 
him out of spite to me. They continued with the doc- 
tor several weeks, till the expense amounted to about 
fifty dollars; the lad continued to grow worse till he 
died. This woman seemed satisfied with having her 
son die, after spending fifty dollars, because it was done 
in a fashionable manner; but my refusing to undertake 
to cure him, was sufficient reason for her to circulate 
all kinds of false and ridiculous reports about me. 
However strange this may appear, it is no more strange 
than true, for this is but one out of many hundred simi- 
lar cases, where I have received injury, when I was en- 
titled to credit, by being honest and sincere in my en- 
deavor to do what I conceived my duty towards my fel- 
low creatures. 

About this time, among the rest of my troubles, I met 
with a new difficulty with an apprentice that I had 
taken, by the name of William Little; whom I had taken 
from a state of poverty and sickness, cured him, and 
supported him for two years, until he had gained knowl- 
edge enough of my medicine and system of practice 
to be useful to me, he then proved dishonest. While 
I was absent from home, he collected all the money he 
could, and sold all my medicine, and then went off. Ors 
my return, I found my debts collected, and my medicine 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 77 

gone, so that I was obliged to go back immediately, to 
collect more before I could attend to my practice. This 
was the first time I had met with difficulty by employing 
agents; but since then I have had experience enough to 
satisfy me of the difficulty of trusting to other people; 
having found but very few of those I have been under 
the necessity of employing, who have proved trusty and 
honest. I have suffered much pecuniary loss in this way, 
besides in some instances, those I have assisted and given 
instruction to, so as to be useful in the practice, have 
become my enemies, and been made instruments to de- 
stroy me. 

A son of Mr. John Underwood, of Portsmouth, was 
brought to me while at Exeter, who had what is called 
a scalt head. He had been afflicted with it for nine 
years. The doctors had been applied to, to no pur- 
pose; and when he brought, him to me, agreed to give 
a generous price if I would cure him. I took charge 
of him, and after pursuing my usual plan of treatment 
three weeks, he returned home perfectly cured, and has 
not since had any appearance of the disease. *This 
man had the meanness, in order to get clear of paying 
any thing for curing his son, to turn against me and my 
practice, although he had acknowledged that I had saved 
his life, and had recommended me to many others, whom 
I had relieved; yet to get clear of paying a trifling sum 
according to his agreement, he did all he could to injure 
me, and through his influence, many were kept from be- 
ing cured. He was taken sick, and notwithstanding he 
had said so much against my medicine, he applied to 
some who had the right of using it, and was relieved 
thereby. 

Some time towards the close of the summer, while I 
was at Exeter, I was sent for to go to Portsmouth to see 
a young man by the name of Lebell, who was in a very 
dangerous situation, supposed by his friends to be in a 
dying state, having been given over by Drs. Cutler and 
Pierpont, at ten o'clock that morning. I arrived about 
two in the afternoon. He had been attended by the 
two doctors above named for upwards of a month, to 
cure the venereal; they had filled him with mercury, 
so that he had swelled all over with the poison. The 
7* 



TO Narrative of the Life, 4*c. 

doctors pronounced it to be the dropsy. His legs had 
been scarified to let off the water; the disorder and the 
mercury had gained the power, and nature had submit- 
ted. I at once pronounced it to be a desperate case, 
and told the French Consul, who had the care of him, 
that I could give no encouragement that I could do him 
any good; but he was very solicitous for me to do some- 
thing for him. I told him the only chance was to raise 
perspiration, and that twenty- four hours would deter- 
mine his case; for he would either be better in that 
time, or be dead. The idea of perspiration caused him 
to urge me to try ; and he said if I could effect it, he 
would give me one hundred dollars; the doctors had 
tried for a month, and could not succeed. I gave him 
some medicine, then put on the clothes by degrees, 
until he was shielded from the air, and he sweat freely 
in about an hour. The two doctors were present, and 
seemed astonished at my success; they walked the room, 
talked low, then went out. I staid with him till six 
o'clock, and the symptoms seemed to be favorable; he 
sweat profusely, and spit much blood. I told the nurse 
to keep him in the same situation tilJ I returned; went 
out and was gone about an hour, and come back again 
with Mr. Underwood. When we came ir^o the room, 
found that the doctors had taken him out of bed and sat 
him in a chair, and opened the window against him. I 
told them that their conduct would cause his death, and 
I would do no more for him; but should give him up as 
their patient. 

It appeared to me that they were afraid I should cure 
him, and thus prove the superiority of my practice over 
theirs; for they had tried a month to get a perspiration, 
without success, and I had done it in one hour. The 
man fainted before I left the room. I went home with 
Mr. Underwood and staid that night, and left them to 
pursue their own course; the man died before morn- 
ing. Instead of getting the hundred dollars, as was 
agreed, I never got a cent for all my trouble of coming 
fifteen miles, and returning back again on foot; and be- 
sides this loss, afterwards, — when I came to be perse- 
cuted by the faculty, — the above two doctors gave their 
depositions against me, in which I was informed they 



Of Samuel Thomson, 79 

swore that I killed this man, notwithstanding they had 
given him over to die the morning before I saw him, 
and they had taken him out of my hands, as above 
stated. On being informed that they were trying to 
support a complaint against me, I got the depositions of 
Mr. Underwood and others, who were knowing to the 
facts, to contradict these false statements. On finding 
that I was determined to oppose them, and prove what 
they had sworn to be all false, they thought proper to 
drop the matter; but I was informed they had sworn 
that my medicine was of a poisonous nature, and if it 
did not cause the patient to vomit soon after being taken, 
they would certainly die. It is unnecessary for me to 
contradict this, for its incorrectness and absurdity is too 
well known to all who have any knowledge of the medi- 
cine I use. 

I was frequently in Portsmouth to visit those who had 
been sent to me to be attended upon at Exeter. Some- 
time in September in 1808, when there, I was called on 
to visit Mr. Richard Rice, who was sick with the yellow 
fever, as it was called. The reason for his sending for 
me, was in consequence of having heard the reports of 
the doctors, that I sweat my patients to death. He con- 
ceived an idea that if he could sweat, he should be bet- 
ter; but they would not allow him to be kept warm, tak- 
ing the clothes off of him, and keeping the windows and 
doors open; no fire was permitted in the room, while he 
was shivering with the cold. The plan was to kill the 
fever, and to effect this with more certainty, the doctor 
had bled him, and told his sister that he had given him 
as much ratsbane as he dared to give, and if that did not 
answer he did not know what would. 

I began to give him medicine a Httle before night, 
and in one hour perspiration took place. He was so 
weak that he was unable to help himself. In the morn- 
ing the doctor proposed to bleed him; but he was dis- 
missed. I was with him till the symptoms were favora- 
ble, and then left him in the care, of three persons- whom 
I could confide in. After I was gone, Dr. Brackett 
came into the room where the patient was, in a great 
rage, saying that they were killing him; for the mortifi- 
cation would soon take place, in consequence of keeping 



80 Nawative of the Life, 8fc. 

him so warm. He was asked by one of those present, 
in which case mortification was most likely to take place, 
when the blood was cold and thick, or warm and thin. 
He suspected some quibble, and would not give an an- 
swer; and it was immaterial which way he answered; 
for in either case he had no grounds to support an argu- 
ment upon, but what might be easily refuted. After he 
had failed in the interference with those who had the 
care of the patient, he went to his wife and other rela- 
tions, and tried to frighten them; but he did not succeed, 
for they were well satisfied with what was doing. 

The patient was much out by spells, sometimes im- 
agiuing himself to be a lump of ice; but my directions 
were pursued by the person I left in charge of him dur- 
ing the night, keeping up a perspiration, in the morning 
he was much relieved, and had his right mind. He had 
no pain except in the lower part of the bowels; to re- 
lieve which he was very anxious that I should give him 
some physic. I opposed this, being confident that it 
would not do in such putrid cases. He was so urgent, 
however, I gave him some, which operated very soon; 
and the consequence was, that it reinforced his disorder, 
and threw him into the greatest distress*. He asked for 
more physic, but I told him that I would not give him 
any more, for I was satisfied of the impropriety of giv- 
ing it in such cases, and I have never given any since. 
It checked the perspiration, and drew the determining 
powers from the surface inward; so that I had to go 
through the same process again of raising perspiration, 
and vomiting, which was much more difficult than at 
first, and it was with the greatest attention that I was 
able to keep off the mortification for twelve hours that 
he was kept back by taking this small dose of physic. I 
kept up the perspiration through Friday and Saturday, 
and on Sunday morning when I called to see him, he 
was up and dressed. On asking how he did, he said as 
strong as you are, and took me under his arm and car- 
ried me across the room. On Monday he was down on 
the wharf attending to his business. 

This cure caused considerable talk in the town, and 
because it was done so quick, the doctors said that there 
was but little ailed him, and he would have got well 



Of Samuel Thomson. 81 

himself if he had taken the physic and been left alone ; 
but those who saw it were convinced to the contrary; 
others doubted, and said among themselves, how can a 
man, who has no learning, and never studied physic, 
know how to cure disease. Mr. Rice, however, gave 
me credit for the cure, and was very grateful for it, and 
I made his house my home, when in Portsmouth, and 
was treated with much respect. He introduced me to 
his uncle, Alexander Rice, Esq., a man of respectabili- 
ty, and high standing in that place; who at first could 
not believe that so valuable a discovery could be made 
by a man without an education. I conversed with him 
upon the subject, and explained the principles upon 
which my system was founded; how every thing acted 
under the nature and operation of the four elements, 
and by one acting upon another caused all motion; 
how the element of fire, by rarifying water and air, 
keeps the whole creation in motion; how the tempera- 
ment of the body, by adding cr diminishing heat and 
cold, would promote either life or death. After hearing 
my explanation, he became satisfied of its correctness, 
and confessed that my natural gift was of more value 
than learning. He then made known to me his in- 
firmities, and wished me to take the care of his family, 
and give him and his wife such information as would 
enable them to attend upon themselves and family in 
case of sickness. I readily agreed to this, and soon 
after carried some of the family through with the medi- 
cine, and gave them all the information in my power, of 
the principle, and the medicine with which it was done. 
Mrs. Rice undertook the management of the business; 
she was a kind and affectionate woman, possessing a 
sound judgment without fear. After she had gained the 
information, she wished me to attend to carrvinff her 
through a course of the medicine, for a bad humor, call- 
ed the salt rheum, which she had been long afflicted with; 
she was attended a few times, which effected a complete 
cure 

Major Rice had been for many years subject to turns 
of the gout; and had been in some instances confined 
by it for six months at a time, and for six weeks not able 
to sit up, much of the time not able to lift his hand 



82 Narrative of the Life, &?c. ' 

to his head. He had been constantly under the care of 
the most skilful doctors, who would bleed, and blister, 
and physic him, till his strength was exhausted ; after 
attending him in this way through the winter, they said 
he must wait till warm weather, before he could get 
about. When the warm weather came, he would crawl 
out to the sunny side of the house, and in this way he 
gradually gained his strength. After this, he was afflict- 
ed with a violent burning in the stomach, which was al- 
most as troublesome as the gout. 

After he had the right of my medicine, he had frequent 
turns of the gout ; but no attack of this disease has con- 
tinued more than twenty-four hours, before he was com- 
pletely relieved ; and he has been but little troubled with 
the burning of the stomach since, [in 1822.] He has 
told me since, that if he could have been as sure of re- 
lief, when he was first subject to the disease, as he is 
now certain of it in twenty-four hours, he would have 
been willing to give all he was worth. This family has 
been so much benefitted by the use of the medicine, 
that no sum of money would be any temptation to them 
to be deprived of it. This man has never been lacking 
to prove his gratitude to me ; in the time of my troubles 
his assistance was of the greatest importance to me, and 
I shall ever feel grateful to him and his family for their 
goodness. 

Soon after I went to Portsmouth, I was sent for to go 
to Deerfield, where the dysentery prevailed, and had 
become very alarming. A young man by the name of 
Fulsom, came after me, and said that the doctor had lost 
every patient he had attended; that seven had died, and 
many were sick; that his father and two brothers were 
given over by the doctor that morning to die. 

The young man seemed so anxious, and was so much 
frightened, that I concluded to go with him; the dis- 
tance was twenty-eight miles. We started a little be- 
fore night, and arrived there about ten o'clock. I found 
the father and the two sons as bad as they could be and 
be alive ; they were stupid and cold. I told the mother 
that it was very uncertain whether I could help them. 
She begged of me to save her husband's life if possible. 
I told her that I could not tell whether they were dying. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 83 

or whether it was the deadly effect of opium. I gave 
them all medicine. The two children died in about 
three hours; but Mr. Fulsom soon grew better by taking 
my medicine. I had not only the sick to attend to, and 
do every thing myself; but the opposition of all the 
neighborhood; there was eight of the family sick, and 
if I went out of the house, some person would open the 
doors and windows, which would cause a relapse; while 
perspiration continued, they were easy, but as soon as 
they grew cold, the pain would return and be very vio- 
lent. In the morning I was preparing to come away ; 
but the father urged me so hard to stay, promising that 
I should be treated in a better manner than I had been, 
that I consented and remained with them about ten 
days. I caught the disorder myself and was very bad; 
on taking the medicine, the operation was so violent, 
that the neighbors were much frightened, and left the 
house, and were afraid to come nigh us, leaving us to 
die altogether. I soon got better and was able to carry 
Mr. Fulsom through for the first time ; which relieved 
him, and he soon got better. In the mean time a small 
child was brought home sick, that had been carried 
away to prevent it from taking the disorder. It was so 
far gone, that the medicine would have no effect upon it, 
and it soon died. All that were not in a dying situation 
before they took the medicine, were relieved and got well. 
I attended some that had the disorder in other families, all 
of whom got well ; fifteen in the whole recovered and 
three died. Two years after, the death of these three 
children was brought against me on a charge of murder. 
All that I ever received for my trouble in these cases, 
was fifteen dollars; there was no credit given me for 
curing the fifteen out of eighteen, when the doctor had 
lost all that he attended; and although he had given 
over three to die, I cured one of them twelve hours 
after. When I left this place the doctor adopted my 
mode of practice as far as he knew it, particularly in 
sweating, and about one half lived. Notwithstanding 
all this, the doctor, as I was informed, made oath that 
the three children died in consequence of taking my 
medicine; and the good minister of the parish, I was 
also informed, testified to the same thing; though I am 



84 Narrative of the Life, 8?c. 

confident that^neither of them knew any thing about me 
or my medicine. A judgment seemed to follow this 
clergyman, for a short time after he had lent his aid in 
promoting the prosecution against me, a circumstance 
took place in his family, which, if it had not been done 
by a fashionable doctor, might have been called murder. 
His wife was at times troubled with a pain in her face, 
something like a cramp; a certain doctor said that he 
could help her by cutting. He used the knife and other 
instruments of torture for four hours, which stopped her 
speech, and let loose the juices that filled the flesh from 
her breast, so that the blood and water crowded out of 
her ears in striving for breath. She remained in this 
distressed situation about seven days and died. This in- 
formation I had from two respectable men, who were 
present at the time of her sufferings and death. 

I continued to practise in Portsmouth and vicinity 
during this autumn, and while there, was sent for to go 
to Salisbury, to see a child that had been attended by a 
woman for several days, who I had given information to, 
but they said the perspiration would not hold; and they 
wished for further information. On seeing the child, I 
at once found that they had kept about an equal balance 
between the outward and inward heat; when they gave 
medicine to raise the inward heat and start the deter- 
mining power to the surface, they at the same time kept 
the outward heat so high as to counteract it. After ex- 
plaining to them the difficulty, I raised the child up and 
poured on to it a pint of cold vinegar, and it immedi- 
ately revived. Applied no more outward heat, but only 
to shield it from the air; and gave the warmest medi- 
cine inward, on the operation of which, the child grew 
cold and very much distressed. As soon as the inward 
heat had gained the full power, and drove the cold out, 
the circulation became free, and the child was relieved 
from pain and fell asleep; the next day the heat was as 
much higher than what was natural, as it had been low- 
er the day before ; and when heat had gained the victo- 
ry over cold, the child gained its strength and was soon 
about, perfectly recovered. 

I had not practised in Salisbury before, since I went 
to Exeter, which was in June, and my returning there 



Of Samuel Thomson. 85 

seemed to give Dr. French great offence. He had been 
to see the child mentioned above, and tried to discour- 
age the people from using my medicine; and threaten- 
ed them that he would have them indicted by the grand 
jury 5 if they made use of any without his consent; his 
threats, however, had very little effect, for the people 
were well satisfied of the superiority of my practice over 
his. About this time the bonds for his good behavior 
were out; I did not appear against him, and when the 
case was called, the court discharged him and his bail, 
on his paying the cost. The action was brought on a 
complaint in behalf of the Commonwealth; but I had 
caused another action of damage to be brought against 
him, which was carried to the Supreme Court, and 
tried at Ipswich the spring following. I employed two 
lawyers to manage my case, and brought forward two 
witnesses to prove my declaration, who swore that the 
defendant made the assertion, that I was guilty of mur- 
der and he could prove it. His lawyer admitted the 
fact, but pleaded justification on the part of his client, 
and brought witnesses on the stand to prove that what 
he had said was true. The young woman who nursed 
Mrs. Lifford, and by whose neglect she took cold, swore 
to some of the most ridiculous occurrences concerning 
the death of that woman, that could be uttered, which 
were perfectly contradictory to every thing she had be- 
fore confessed to be the truth. Another young woman, 
the daughter of a doctor at Deerfield, made a state- 
ment, to make it appear that I was the cause of the 
death of the three children, who died as has been be- 
fore related. I had no knowledge of ever seeing this 
woman, and have since ascertained that she was not at 
the house but once during the sickness, and then did 
not go into the room where the sick were ; and her ex- 
aggerated account must have been made up of what she 
had heard others say. 

These things were a complete surprise to me, not 
thinking it possible that people could be induced to make 
such exaggerated statements under the solemnity of an 
oath. I could have brought forward abundance of tes- 
timony to have contradicted the whole evidence against 
me if there was time, but not expecting that the cause 
8 



86 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

would have taken the course it did, was unprepared. 
There appeared to be a complete combination of the 
professional craft against me, of both the doctors and 
lawyers, and a determination that I should lose the 
cause, let the evidence be what it might. My law- 
yers gave up the case without making a plea ; and 
the judge gave a very partial charge to the jury, repre- 
senting me in the worst point of view that he possibly 
could, saying that the evidence was sufficient to prove 
the facts against me, and that if I had been tried for 
my life, he could not say whether it would hang me or 
send me to the state prison for life. The jury of course 
gave their verdict against me, and I had to pay the cost 
of the court. 

The counsel for Dr. French asked the judge whether 
a warrant ought not to be issued against me, and I be 
compelled to recognize to appear at the next court, to 
which he answered in the affirmative. This so fright- 
ened my friends, that they were much alarmed for my 
safety, and advised me to go out of the way of my ene- 
mies, for they seemed to be determined to destroy me. 
I went to Andover to the house of a friend, whose wife 
I had cured of a cancer, where I was very cordially re- 
ceived, and staid that night. The next day I went to 
Salisbury Mills, and made arrangements to pay the cost 
of my unfortunate lawsuit. 

In the fall of the year 1808, I was sent for to go to 
Beverly, to see the wife of a Mr. Appleton, who was 
the daughter of Elder Williams, the Baptist Minister in 
that town, and was very low in a consumption. She 
had formerly been afflicted with the salt rheum on her 
hands, and had applied to a doctor for advice; he had 
advised her to make use of a sugar of lead wash, which 
drove the disease to her lungs, and she had been in that 
situation for a long time, and very little hopes were en- 
tertained of her ever being any better. I carried her 
through a course of the medicine, with very good suc- 
cess. I remained in Beverly about a week; and while 
there, became acquainted with Mr. Williams, and also 
Mr. William Raymond, to whom I afterwards gave in- 
formation of my practice and he assisted me to attend 
on my patients. Then returned to Portsmouth, where 



Of Samuel Thomson. 87 

I was constantly called on to practise, and had all the 
most desperate cases put under my care, in all of which 
I met with very great success. 

After staying here about two weeks, I returned to 
Beverly, to see Mrs. Appleton and other patients there, 
and found them all doing well; was called on to attend 
many desperate cases; in all of which I effected a 
cure, except one, who was dying before I was called on. 
While practising in Beverly, was called on by a Mr. 
Lovett, to attend his son, who was sick, as they suppos- 
ed with a bad cold; some thought it a typhus fever. I 
was very much engaged in attending upon the sick at the 
time, and could not go with him; he came after me 
three times before I could go. On seeing him, found 
that he complained of a stiff neck, and appeared to be 
very stupid, and had no pain. His aunt, who took care 
of him, said that he would certainly die, for he had the 
same symptoms as his mother, who died a short time 
before. I gave some medicine which relieved him; the 
next day carried him through a course of the medicine, 
and he appeared to be doing well. Being called on to 
go to Salem, I left him in the care of Mr. Raymond, with 
particular directions to keep in the house and not expose 
himself. This was on Wednesday, and I heard nothing 
from him, and knew not but what he was doing well, till 
the Sunday afternoon following, when I was informed 
that he was worse. I immediately inquired of Mr. Ray- 
mond, and learned from him that he had got so much 
better, he had been down on the side of the water, and 
returned on Friday night; that the weather was very 
cold, being in the month of December; that he had been 
chilled with the cold, and soon after his return had been 
taken very ill; he staid with him on Saturday night, and 
that he was raving distracted all night; that he had not 
given any medicine, thinking he was too dangerously 
sick for him to undertake with. 

I told the young man's father, that it was very doubt- 
ful whether I could do any thing that would help him; 
but that I would try, and do all I could. I found that 
the patient was so far gone that the medicine would 
have no effect, and in two hours told him that I could 



88 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

not help his son, and advised him to call some other ad- 
vice; this was said in presence of Elder Williams, and 
Mr. Raymond. Mr. Lovett made answer that if I could 
not help his son, he knew of none who could; and was 
very desirous for me to stay with him all night, which 
I did, and stood by his bed the whole time. He was 
much deranged in his mind till morning, when he came 
to himself, and was quite sensible. I then again request- 
ed the father to send for some other doctor, as I was 
sensible that I could do nothing for him that would be of 
any benefit. He immediately sent for two doctors, and 
as soon as they arrived, I left him in their care. The 
two doctors attended him till the next night about ten 
o'clock, when he died. I have been more particular in 
giving the history of this case, because two years after 
it was brought as a charge against me for murdering this 
young man. The father and friends expressed no dissat- 
isfaction at the time, in regard to my conduct, except 
they thought I ought not to have neglected the patient 
so long; but it was a well known fact, that I attended as 
soon as I knew of his being worse, and that the whole 
cause of his second attack was owing to his going out 
and exposing himself, and could not be imputed as an;y 
fault of mine. 

In the latter part of December, 1808, I was sent for to 
attend Elder Bolles, the Baptist minister of Salem. I 
was introduced to him by Elder Williams, and found him 
in bed, and very weak and low, in the last stage of a con- 
sumption; all hopes of a recovery were at an end; his 
doctors left him as incurable. He asked my opinion of 
his case; I told him that I could not tell whether there 
was a possibility of a cure or not till after using the medi- 
cine; being doubtful whether there was mortification or not. 
He was a man very much respected and beloved by his peo- 
ple, and the public anxiety was very great about him. He 
expressed a strong desire that I should undertake with him ; 
but I declined doing any thing until he consulted his dea- 
cons and other members of his church, who were his par- 
ticular friends, and their advice taken; which being done^ 
they offered no objection, but wished him to act his own; 
mind, and whatever the result should he, they would b^ 



Of Samud Thomson. 89 

satisfied. He replied that he was convinced that he 
could not live in his present situation more than a week, 
and therefore his life could not be shortened more than 
that time ; and it was his wish that I should undertake 
to cure him. His strength was so far exhausted that it 
was with the greatest exertions and difficulty that they 
could get him to sit up about three minutes in a day, to 
have his bed made. 

I gave his friends as correct an account of his disorder 
and the operation of the medicine as I could; and that 
I did not wish to do any thing which might cause reflec- 
tion hereafter; but they promised that, let the result be 
what it might, they should be satisfied, and would not 
think hard of me. On these conditions I undertook, 
and told them that twenty-four hours time would decide 
whether he lived or died. I began to give the medicine 
in the morning, which had a very calm and easy opera- 
tion. The emetic herb operated very kindly, and threw 
off his stomach a large quantity of cold jelly, like the 
white of an egg; the perspiration moved gently on, and 
was free; the internal heat produced by the medicine 
fixed the determining power to the surface, and threw 
out the putrefaction to such a degree that the smell. was 
very offensive. Mr. Bolles had a brother present who 
was a doctor; he observed that he did not know whether 
the medicine made the putrefaction, or whether it made 
visible what was secreted in the body; but he was soon 
convinced on that head, for when the medicine had 
cleansed him, all this putrid smell ceased. While the 
medicine was in the greatest operation, the perspiration 
brought out the putrefaction to such a degree, that the 
nurse in making his bed was so affected with it, that she 
fainted and fell on the floor. I attended on him for 
about three weeks, in which time he was able to set up 
two or three hours in a day; his food nourished his 
body, and his strength gained very fast, considering the 
season of the year being unfavorable. I gave him my 
best advice and left directions how to proceed, and re- 
turned home to my family to spend the rest of the win- 
ter with them. I returned in the spring to see Mr. 
Bolles, and found him so far recovered as to be able to 
ride out and in good spirits. He soor gained his health, 



90 Narrative of the Life, 8fc. 

and is now well and ready to give testimony of the facta x 
as I have related them. [1835.] 

In the season of 1809, I suffered much. In the first 
part of the summer, I attended many patients of old com- 
plaints; in particular, one case that I shall mention of a 
young woman in Kittery in a consumption. She had 
been confined to her house four months; her flesh was 
exhausted and she had a violent stricture of the lungs, 
which she said seemed as though there was a string 
that drawed her lungs to her back; this caused a dry, 
hacking cough, which was very distressing. I could give 
her friends no encouragement of a cure ; but the young 
woman and her friends were so urgent, that I undertook 
with her. Her courage was very great, and she took 
the medicines and followed all my directions with great 
perseverance. She said she wished that it might either 
kill or cure, for she did not desire to live in the situa- 
tion she was then in. I left her medicine and directions^ 
and occasionally visited her. My plan of treatment was 
followed with much attention and ^eal for six months, 
before I could raise an inward heat that would hold 
more than six hours. She then had what was called a 
settled fever; and I gave her medicine to get as great 
an internal heat as I possibly could; this caused much 
alarm among her friends, as they thought she would 
certainly die. I told them that the heat holding, which 
was the cause of the fever, was the first favorable symp- 
tom that I had seen in her favor. She soon gained her 
health, to the astonishment of all her friends and ac- 
quaintances. She continued to enjoy good health till 
the next season, when she had another turn of the fever. 
I attended her in my usual way, and raised the heat till 
it completely overpowered the cold, when she was entire- 
ly cured, and has ever since enjoyed good health. [1822.] 

During this summer, a woman applied to me from a 
neighboring town, who had the dropsy, and brought 
with her a little girl, who had the rickets very bad, so 
that she was grown much out of shape. I carried them 
both through a course of the medicine, attended them 
for three or four weeks, and then gave the woman infor- 
mation how to relieve herself and the girl, occasionally 
visiting them. They both recovered of their complaints, 



Of Sarrmel Thomson. 91 

and have enjoyed perfect health since. This woman 
paid me the most liberally of any that I had attended, 
and has on all occasions manifested her gratitude for the 
assistance I afforded her. Another woman from the 
same town applied to me, who had a cancer on her 
breast. She had been under the care of several doctors, 
who had by their course of practice made her worse. I 
undertook with her, and by giving medicine to check the 
canker and promote perspiration, effectually relieved her 
from the disease. Many other desperate cases, such as 
consumptions, dropsies, cancers, &c. most of which had 
been given over by the doctors, were attended by me 
about this time, which it will be unnecessary for me to 
particularize ; all of them were either completely cured 
or essentially relieved and made comfortable by the sys- 
tem of practice. One case I shall, however, state, being 
rather of an extraordinary nature, to show the absurdity 
of the fashionable manner of treating disease by the doc- 
tors of the present day. 

A young lady applied to me who had been much 
troubled with bleeding at the stomach. She stated to 
me that she had been bled by the doctors forty-two 
times in two years; and that they had bled her seven 
times in six weeks. So much blood had been taken 
from her, that the blood vessels had contracted in such 
manner that they would hold very little blood; and the 
heat being thereby so much diminished, the water filled 
the flesh, and what little blood there was rushed to her 
face, while all the extremities were cold. This produced 
a deceptive appearance of health, and caused those who 
judged by outward appearances, to doubt whether there 
was any disease ; so that she had not only to bear her 
own infirmities, but the reproache of her acquaintances. 
I kindled heat enough in the body to throw off the use- 
less water, which gave the blood room to circulate 
through the whole system, instead of circulating as it 
had done before, only in the large blood vessels, and 
they being much extended by not having heat enough 
to give it motion, leads the doctors into the erroneous 
idea, that there is too much blood, and resort to the 
practice of bleeding, which reduces the strength of the 
patient, and increases the disease. There is no such 



92 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

thing as a person having too much blood, no more than 
there is of having too much bone, or too much muscle, 
or sinews; nature contrives all things right. The blood 
may be too thick, so as not to circulate, and is liable to 
be diseased, like all other parts of the body; but how 
taking part of it away can benefit the rest, or tend in 
any way to remove the disease, is what I could never 
reconcile with common sense. After I had carried this 
woman through a full operation of the medicine, and 
got the heat to hold, so as to produce a natural perspi- 
ration, she at once exhibited a true picture of her situ- 
ation; instead of appearing to be so fleshy and well as 
she had done, she fell away and became quite emaciated; 
but as soon as the digestive powers were restored, so that 
food could nourish her body, she gained her strength and 
flesh, and in a short time was completely restored to 
health. 

I was about this time called to attend a woman who 
was very severely attacked with the spotted fever. The 
first appearance of it was a pain in her heel, which soon 
moved up to her hips and back, from thence to her 
stomach and head; so that in fifteen minutes her sight 
was gone, and in less than half an hour she was sense- 
less and cold. About this time I saw her and examined 
well the cause of the disease; I was well satisfied that 
it was the effect of cold having overpowered the inward 
heat. By confining her from the air, giving her Nos. 1 
and 2, and keeping her in a moderate steam, she in a 
short time came to her senses; and the symptoms were 
exactly similar to a drowned person coming to, after 
having life suspended by being under water. As soon ' 
as the perspiration became free, all pain ceased, and she 
was quite comfortable ; in twenty-four hours the disease 
was completely removed, and she was able to attend to 
her work. 

The same day I had another case of a child which 
the doctor had given over. When I came to this child 
it was senseless, and I expected in a mortified state. I 
gave it the hottest medicine I could get, with the emetic; 
it lay about six hours silent, before the medicine had 
kindled heat enough to cause motion in the stomach and 
bowels, when it began to revive, and what came from it 



Of Samuel Thomson. 93 

was black and putrid ; the bowels just escaped mortifica- 
tion. The child was soon well. These two cases were 
both cured in twenty-four hours time. 

When ths spotted fever first appeared in Portsmouth, 
the doctors had five cases and all of them died. I had 
five cases similar, all of which lived. Because my pa- 
tients did not die, the doctors said they did not have the 
fever. In this they had much the advantage of me, for 
there could be no doubt of theirs all having it, as death 
was, in most of the cases under their care, on their side, 
and decided the question. I have had a great number 
of cases of the spotted fever under my care, and in all 
of them used the remains of heat as a friend, by kindling 
it so as to produce heat enough in the body to overpower 
and drive out the cold ; and have never failed of success, 
where there was any chance of a cure. 

Some time this season I was sent for to attend Captain 
Trickey, who was very sick. I examined him and was 
confident that I could not help him, and took my hat 
in order to leave the house. His family insisted on my 
stopping and doing something for him; but I told them 
that I thought he was in a dying state, and medicine 
would do no good. I told his son that in all proba- 
bility, he would not be alive over twenty-four hours, and 
that he had better go for some other help, for I could 
do him no good. I told the wife that I should give no 
medicine myself, but as they had some in the house 
that they knew the nature of, she might give some of it 
to her husband, which she did. Two doctors were sent 
for; the first oiae that arrived bled him, and he soon 
breathed very short, and grew worse; the other doctor 
came, and said that his breathing short was in conse- 
quence of the medicine I had given him; but by this 
he did not gain credit, for all the family knew to the 
contrary; and the woman soon after told me of his 
speech. The patient continued till the next day about 
ten o'clock, and died. Soon as he was dead, the doctors 
and their friends spared no pains to spread the report in 
every direction, that I had killed this man with my screw 
auger, a cant name given to my emetic herb, in conse- 
quence of one of my patients, when under the operation 
of it, saying that it twisted in him like a screw auger. 



94 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

This was readily seized upon by the doctors, and made 
use of for the purpose of trying to destroy the reputa- 
tion of this medicine by ridicule. They likewise gave 
similar names to several other articles of my medicine, 
for the same purpose ; and represented them as the names 
by which I called them. They had likewise given me 
several names and titles, by way of reproach; such as 
the sweating and steaming doctor; the Indian doctor; 
the old wizzafd; and sometimes the quack. Such, 
£ind of management had a great effect on the minds of 
many weak minded people ; they were so afraid of ridi- 
cule, that those whom I had cured were unwilling to 
own it, for fear of being laughed at for employing 
me. 

The circumstance of the death of the above mention- 
ed Capt. Trickey, was seized upon by the doctors and 
their friends, and the most false and absurd representa- 
tions made by them through the country, with the inten- 
tion of stopping my practice, by getting me indicted for 
murder, or to drive me off; but my friends made out a 
correct statement of the facts, and had them published, 
which put a stop to their career for that time. I con- 
tinued my practice, and had a great number of the most 
desperate cases, in most of which I was successful. 
The extraordinary cures I had performed, had the ten- 
dency to make many people believe, that I could cure 
every one who had life in them, let their disease be ever 
so bad; and where I had attended on those who were 
given over as incurable, and they died, whether I gave 
them any medicine or not, the report was immediately 
circulated that they were killed by me, at the same time 
the regular doctors would lose their patients every day, 
without there being any notice taken of it. When their 
patients died, if appearances were ever so much against 
their practice, it was said to be the will of the Lord, and 
submitted to without a murmur; but if .one happened to 
die that I had any thing to do with, it was readily report- 
ed by those interested in destroying my credit with the 
people, that I killed them. 

I could mention a great number of cases of the cures 
that I performed, if I thought it necessary; but my in- 
tention is to give the particulars of such only as will 



Of Samuel lliomson. 95 

have the greatest tendency to convey to the reader the 
most correct information of my mode of practice, with- 
out repeating any that were treated in a similar manner, 
to those already given. I shall now proceed to give the 
particulars of one of the most important circumstances 
of my life, in as correct and impartial a manner as I am 
capable of doing from memory ; in order to show what I 
have suffered from the persecutions of some of the medi- 
cal faculty, for no other reason, as I conceive, than that 
they feared my practice would open the eyes of the 
people, and lessen their importance with them; by giving 
such information as would enable them to cure them- 
selves of disease, without the aid of a doctor; and from 
many others, who were governed altogether by the pre- 
judices they had formed against me by the false reports 
that had been circulated about my practice, without hav- 
ing any other knowledge of me. Many of the latter, 
however, have since been convinced of their error, have 
a very favorable opinion of my system, and are among 
my best friends. 

After practising in those parts through the season of 
1809, I went home to Surry, where I remained a few 
weeks, and returned back to Salisbury. On my way 
there, I made several stops in different places where I 
had before practised, to see my friends and to give infor- 
mation to those who made use of my medicine and prac- 
tice. On my arrival at Salisbury, my friends informed 
me that Dr. French had been very busily employed in 
my absence, and that he and a Deacon Pecker, who 
was one of the grand jury, had been to Salem, to the 
court, and on their return had said that there had been 
a bill of indictment found against me for wilful murder. 
They advised me to go off, and keep out of the way; 
but I told them I should never do that; for if they had 
found a bill against me, the government must prove the 
charges, or I must be honorably acquitted. About 
ten o'clock at night Dr. French came to the place where 
I stopped, with a constable, and made me a prisoner in 
behalf of the commonwealth. I asked the constable to 
read the warrant, which he did; by this I found that 
Dr. French was the only complainant, and the justice 
who granted the warrant, ordered me before him to be 



96 Narrative of the Life, <Src* 

examined the next morning. I was then taken by the 
constable to Dr. French's house, and keepers were 
placed over me to prevent me from escaping. While at 
his house and a prisoner. Dr. French took the oppor- 
tunity to abuse and insult me in the most shameful man- 
ner that can be conceived of, without any provocation 
on my part. He continued his abuse to me till between 
two and three o'clock, when he took his horse and set 
out for Salem to get the indictment. After he was gone, 
I found on inquiry of the constable, that after he had 
been before the grand jury and caused me to be indict- 
ed, he came home before the bill was made out, and 
finding that I was at Salisbury, fearing I might be gone, 
and he should miss the chance of gratifying his malicious 
revenge against me, he went to a brother doctor, who 
was a justice of the peace, before whom he made oath, 
that he had probable ground to suspect, and did suspect, 
that I had with malice aforethought, murdered sundry 
persons in the course of the year past, whose names 
were unknown to the complainant; upon which a war- 
rant was issued against me, and I was arrested as before 
stated, in order to detain and keep me in custody, till the 
indictment could be obtained. 

In the morning I was brought before the said justice, 
and he not being ready to proceed in my examination, 
the court was adjourned till one o'clock; when I was 
again brought before him, and he said he could not try 
me until the complainant was present, and adjourned 
the court again till near night. The constable took 
me to his house in the mean time, and put me in a 
back room and left me alone, all of them leaving the 
house. When they came back, some of them asked me 
why I did not make my escape, which I might very 
easily have done out of a back window; but I told them 
that I stood in no fear of the consequence, having done 
nothing whereby I ought to be punished; that I was 
taken up as a malefactor, and was determined to be con- 
victed as such, or honorably acquitted. Just before 
night, Dr. French arrived with a Sheriff, and ordered 
me to be delivered up by the constable to the Sheriff; 
and after Dr. French had again vented his spleen upon 
me by the most savage abuse that language could ex- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 97 

press, saying that I was a murderer, and that I had 
murdered fifty, and he could prove it; that I should be 
either hung or sent to the State prison for life, and he 
would do all in his power to have me convicted. I was 
then put in irons by the sheriff, and conveyed to the 
jail in Newburyport, and confined in a dungeon, with a 
man who had been convicted of an assault on a girl 
six years of age, and sentenced to solitary confinement 
for one year. He seemed to be glad of company; and 
reminded me of the old saying, that misery loves com- 
pany. I was not allowed a chair or a table, and nothing 
but a miserable straw bunk on the floor, with one poor 
blanket which had never been washed. I was put into 
this prison on the 10th day of November, 1809; the 
weather was very cold, and no fire, and not even the 
light of the sun, or a candle; and to complete the whole, 
the filth ran from the upper rooms into our cell, and was 
so offensive that I was almost stifled with the smell. I 
tried to rest myself as well as I could, but got no sleep 
that night, for I felt something crawling over me, which 
caused an itching, and not knowing what the cause 
was, inquired of my fellow sufferer; he said that it was 
the lice, aud that there was enough of them to shingle a 
meeting-house. 

In the morning there was just light enough shone 
through the iron grates, to show the horror of my situa- 
tion. My spirits and the justness of my cause pre- 
vented me from making any lamentation, and I bore 
my sufferings without complaint. At breakfast time I 
was called on through the grates to take our miserable 
breakfast ; it consisted of an old tin pot of musty coffee, 
without sweetening or milk, and was so bad as to be 
unwholesome; with a tin pan containing a hard piece 
of Indian bread, and the nape of a fish, which was so 
hard I could not eat it. This had to serve us till three 
o'clock in the afternoon, when we had about an equal 
fare, which was all we had till the next morning. The 
next day Mr. Osgood came from Salisbury to see me, 
and on witnessing my miserable situation, he was so 
much affected, that he could scarcely speak. He brought 
me some provisions, which I was very glad to receive; 
and when I described to him my miserable lodgings, and 
9 



98 Narrative of the Life, &$c. 

the horrid place I was in, he wept like a child. He 
asked liberty of the jailor to furnish me with a bed, 
which was granted, and brought me one, and other 
things to make me more comfortable. The next day I 
wrote letters to my family, to Dr. Fuller, and to Judge 
Rice, stating to them my situation. 

The bed which was brought me, I put on the old one, 
and allowed my fellow sufferer a part of it, for which 
he was very thankful. I had provisions enough brought 
me by my friends for us both, .and I gave him what I 
did not want; the crusts and scraps that were left, his 
poor wife would come and beg, to carry to her starving 
children, who were dependent on her. Her situation 
and that of her husband were so much worse than mine, 
that it made me feel more reconciled to my fate; and I 
gave her all I could spare, besides making his condition 
much more comfortable, for which they expressed a great 
deal of gratitude. 

In a few days after my confinement, Judge Rice 
came to see me, and brought with him a lawyer. On 
consulting upon the case, they advised me to petition 
to the Judges of the Supreme Court to hold a special 
court to try my cause, as there would be no court held 
by law, at which it could be tried, till the next fall, 
and as there could be no bail for an indictment for 
murder, I should have to lay in prison nearly a year, 
whether there was any thing against me or not. This 
was the policy of my enemies, thinking that they could 
keep me in prison a year, and in all probability I 
should not live that time, and their ends would be fully 
answered. 

I sent on a petition agreeably to the advice of my 
friends, and Judge Rice undertook to attend to the 
business and do every thing to get the prayer of the pe- 
tition granted. He followed the business up with great 
zeal, and did every thing that could be done to effect 
the object. I think he told me that he or the lawyer, 
Mr. Bartlett, had rode from Newburyport to Boston 
fifteen times in the course of three weeks, on the busi- 
ness. At length Judge Parsons agreed to hold a 
special court at Salem, on the 10th day of December, 
to try the cause, which was one month from the day I 



Of Samuel Thomson. 99 

was committed. My friends were very attentive and 
zealous in my cause, and every preparation was made 
for the trial. 

During this time the weather was very cold, and I 
suffered greatly from that cause, and likewise from the 
badness of the air in our miserable cell, so that I had 
not much life or ambition. Many of my friends came 
to see me, and some of them were permitted to come 
into the cell; but the air was so bad and the smell so 
offensive, that they could not stay long. My friend, 
Dr. Shephard, came to see me, and was admitted into 
our dungeon. He staid a short time, but said it was so 
offensive he must leave me; that he would not stay in 
the place a week for all Newburyport. On Thanksgiv- 
ing day we were taken out of our cell and put in a 
room in the upper story, with the other prisoners, and 
took supper together; they consisted of murderers, rob- 
bers, thieves, and poor debtors. All of us tried to 
enjoy our supper and be in as good spirits as our con- 
dition would permit. The most of their complaints 
were of the filthiness and bad condition of the prison, 
in which we all agreed. Before it was dark I and my 
companion were waited upon to our filthy den again. 
There was nothing in the room to sit upon higher than 
the thickness of our bed; and when I wrote any thing, 
I had to lay on my belly, in which situation I wrote the 
Medical Circular, and several other pieces, which were 
afterwards printed. 

After I had been in prison about two weeks, my son- 
in-law came to see me. I had before my imprisonment 
sent for him to come to Portsmouth on some business, 
and on hearing of my being in prison, he immediately 
came to Newburyport to see me. He seemed much 
more troubled about my situation than I was myself. 
I felt perfectly conscious of my innocence and was sat- 
isfied that I had done nothing to merit such cruel treat- 
ment; therefore my mind was free from reproach; for 
I had pursued the course of duty, which I conceived 
was allotted me by my Maker, and done every thing in 
my power to benefit my fellow-creatures. These re- 
flections supported me in my troubles and persecutions, 
and I was perfectly resigned to my fate. 



100 Narrcdive of the Life, fyc. 

About this time, a lawyer came into the prison and 
read to me the indictment, which was in the common 
form, that I, with malice aforethought, not having the 
fear of G od before my eyes, but moved by the instiga- 
tion of the devil, did kill and murder the said Lovett r 
with lobelia, a deadly poison, &c. ; but feeling so per- 
fectly innocent of the charges, which the bill alleged 
against me, it had very little effect upon my feelings ~ 
knowing thera to be* false, and that they had been 
brought against me by my enemies, without any provo- 
cation on my part. 

In the morning of the day that was appointed for me 
to be removed to Salem for trial, I was taken out of my 
loathsome cell by the jailor, who gave me water to 
wash myself with, and I was permitted to take my break- 
fast by a fire, which was the first time I had seen any 
for thirty days, and could not bear to sit near it in con- 
sequence of its causing me to feel faint. As soon as I 
had eaten my breakfast, the iron shackles were brought 
and put on my hands, which I was obliged to wear till I 
got to Salem. The weather was very cold, and the 
going bad; we stopped but once on the way, the dis- 
tance being about twenty-six miles. On our arrival, I 
was delivered over to the care of the keeper of the prison 
in Salem, and was confined in a room in the second 
story, which was more comfortable than the one I had 
left. I was soon informed that Judge Parsons was sick, 
and had put off my trial for ten days ; so I had to re- 
concile myself to the idea of being confined ten days 
more without fire. However I was not without friends; 
Elder Bolles and Capt. Russell came to see me the first 
night, and Mrs. Russell sent her servant twice every day 
with warm coffee, and other things for my comfort, for 
which I have always been grateful; and Mrs. Perkins., 
whom I had cured of a dropsy, sent for my clothes to 
wash against the day of my trial. 

Many of my friends came to Salem to attend my trial: 
some as witnesses, and others to afford me any assistance 
in their power. A few days before my trial, Judge 
Rice and Mr. Bartlett, whom I had employed as my 
lawyer, held a consultation with me, as to the arrange- 
ments necessary to be made ; when it was decided that 



Of Samuel Thomson. 101 

it would be best to have other counsel; and Mr. Story 
was agreed upon, who engaged in my cause. I had 
also engaged Mr. Bannister, of Newburyport, to assist 
in the trial; but he was of no benefit to me, and after- 
wards sued me for fifty dollars*, at fifty miles distance, 
to put me to great expense.. In order to be prepared 
for the trial, my counsel held a consultation together, 
and examined the principal witnesses in the defence. 
Mr. Bolles, Judge Rice, and several others gave great 
satisfaction as to the value and usefulness of the medi- 
cine, and the variety of cures that had been perform- 
ed with it. within their knowledge. Dr. Fuller, of Mil- 
ford, N. H. was present and made many statements 
in my favor, as to the value of the medicine, and 
advised to have Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, summoned, 
which was done. Every thing was done by my friends 
that was in their power, to assist me and give me a 
chance for a fair trial, for which T shall always feel very 
grateful. 

On the 20th day of December, 1809, the Supreme 
Court convened to hear my trial, at which Judge Parsons 
presided, with Judges Sewall and Parker, assistant 
Judges. The case was called about ten o'clock in the 
morning, and the chief justice ordered me to be brought 
from the prison and arraigned at the bar for trial. I 
was waited on by two constables, one on my right and 
the other on my left, in which situation I was brought 
from the jail to the court-house and placed in the 
bar. The court-house was so crowded with the peo- 
ple, that it was with much difficulty we could get in. 
After I was placed in the criminal seat, a chair was 
handed me and I sat down to wait for further orders. 
Here I was the object for this great concourse of people 
to look at; some with pity, others with scorn. In a 
few minutes I was directed to rise and hold up my right 
hand, to hear the indictment read, which the grand jury 
had upon their oaths presented against me. It was in 
common form, stating__that I had with malice afore- 
thought, murdered Ezra Lovett, with lobelia, a deadly 
poison. I was then directed by the court to plead to the 
indictment, guilty, or not guilty; I plead not guilty, and 
9* 



102f Narrative of the Life, &>c. 

the usual forms, in such cases, were passed through, the 
jury called and sworn, and the trial commenced. 

The Solicitor General arose, and opened the case on 
the part of the Commonwealth, and made many hard 
statements against me, which he said he was about to 
prove; he stated that I had at sundry times killed my 
patients with the same poison. The first witness called 
to the stand, on the part of the government, was Mr. 
Lovett, the father of the young man that- 1 was accused 
of killing. He made a tolerable fair statement of the 
affair in general, particularly of coming after me several 
times before I could attend; though I think he exagger- 
ated many things against me, and told over several ficti- 
tious and ridiculous names, which people had given my 
medicine, by way of ridicule, such as bull-dog, ram-cat, 
screw-auger, and belly -my-grizzle ; all of which had a 
tendency to prejudice the court and jury against me; 
and I also thought that he omitted to tell many things in 
my favor, that must have been within his knowledge; 
but there was nothing in his evidence that in the least 
criminated me, or supported the charges in the indict- 
ment. 

The next witness called, was Dr. Howe, to prove that 
I had administered the poison alleged in the indict- 
ment. He stated that I gave the poison to the said 
Lovett, and produced a sample of it. which he said was 
the root of lobelia. The Judge asked him if he was 
positive that it was lobelia; he said he was, and that 
I called it coffee. The sample was handed round for 
the court to examine, and they ail appeared to be afraid 
of it, and after they had all satisfied their curiosity, 
Judge Rice took it in his hand and ate it, which very 
much surprised them. The Solicitor General asked 
him if he meant to poison himself in presence of the 
court. He said it would not hurt him to eat a peck 
of it, which seemed to strike the court with astonish- 
ment Dr. Howe was then called at my request for 
cross-examination, and Mr. Story asked him to de- 
scribe lobelia, how it looked when growing, as he had 
sworn to it by the taste and smell. This seemed to put 
him to a stand, and after being speechless for several 
minutes, he said he had not seen any so long, he should 



Of Samuel TJiomson. 103 

not know it if he should see it at this time. This so com- 
pletely contradicted and did away all that he had before 
stated, that he went off the stand quite cast down. 

Dr. Cutler was called on to inform the court what the 
medicine was that Dr. Howe had declared so positively 
to be lobelia, and after examining it, he said that it ap- 
peared to him to be marsh-rosemary, which was the fact. 
So far, all they had proved against me was, that I had 
given the young man some marsh-rosemary, which Dr. 
Cutler had declared to be a good medicine. 

Some young women were brought forward as wit- 
nesses, whom I had no knowledge of ever seeing before. 
They made some of the most absurd and ridiculous 
statements about the medicine, that they said I gave the 
young man, that were probably ever made in a court of 
justice before; some of which were too indecent to be 
here repeated. One of them said that I crowded my 
puke down his throat, and he cried murder till he died. 
This was well known to be a falsehood, and that the 
story was wholly made up by my enemies, as well as 
what had been before stated by those women, for the 
purpose of trying to make out something against me. I 
had two unimpeachable witnesses in court, ready to 
swear that I never saw the young man for more than 
fourteen hours before he died, 'during all which time he 
was in the care of Dr. Howe; but by not having an op- 
portunity to make my defence, in consequence of the 
government not making out their case against me, could 
not bring them forward. 

John Lemon was the next witness brought forward on 
the part of the Commonwealth, and was directed to state 
what he knew about the prisoner at the bar. He stated 
that he had been out of health for two years, being much 
troubled with a pain in his breast, and was so bad that 
he was unable to work.; that he could get no help from 
the doctors; that he applied to me and I had cured him 
in one week; and that was all he knew about the pris- 
oner at the bar. By this time Judge Parsons appeared 
to be out of patience, and said he wondered what they 
ha.d for a grand jury, to find a bill on such evidence. 
The Solicitor General said he had more evidence which 
he wished to bring: forward. 



104 Narrative of the Life, Sfc. 

Dr. French was called, and as he had been the most 
busy actor in the whole business of getting me indicted, 
and had been the principal cause, by his own evidence, 
as I was informed, of the grand jury rinding a bill against 
me, it was expected that his evidence now would be suf- 
ficient to condemn me at once; but it turned out like the 
rest, to amount to nothing. He was asked if he knew 
the prisoner at the bar; he said he did. He was then 
directed to state what he knew about him. He said the 
prisoner had practised in the part of the country where 
he lived, with good success; and his medicine was harm- 
less, being gathered by the children for the use of the 
families. The Judge was about to charge the jury, when 
the Solicitor General arose and said, that if it was not 
proved to be murder, it might be found for manslaughter. 
The Judge said, you have nothing against the man, and 
again repeated that he wondered what they had for a 
grand jury. 

In his charge to the jury, the Judge stated that the 
prisoner had broken no law, common or statute, and 
quoted Hale, who says, any person may administer medi- 
cine with an intention to do good; and if it has the con- 
trary effect from his expectation, and kills the patient, it 
is not murder, nor 'even manslaughter. If doctors must 
risk the lives of their patients, who would practise? He 
quoted another clause of law from Blackstone, who says, 
where no malice is, no action lies.* 



* As the learned Judge could find no law, common or statute, to 
punish the accused, he directed or advised those present to stop 
this quackery, as he called it, and for this purpose, to petition the 
Legislature to make a law that should make it penal for all who 
should practise without license from some medical college ; to de- 
bar them of law to collect their debts ; and if this should not an- 
swer, to make it penal by fine and imprisonment. 

This hint, thus given by the Judge, was seized, upon first in 
Massachusetts; from thence it has spread to nearly all the State9 
in the Union. From this source may be traced all those uncon- 
stitutional laws which have been enacted in relation to this sub- 
ject, and all those vexatious suits which I have had to attend in 
many of the States, from Massachusetts to South Carolina, more 
or less almost every year since. But I have been able to break 
them down by my patent being from higher authority, which 
Judge Parsons couid not prevent, or perhaps hp never thought of. 
He however made his own report, and handed it to the reporter, 



Of Samuel TJiomson. 105 

The charge being given to the jury, they retired for 
about five minutes, and returned into court and gave in 
their verdict of Not Guilty. 

I was then honorably acquitted, without having had 
an opportunity to have my witnesses examined, by whom 
I expected to have proved the usefulness and importance 
of my discovery before a large assembly of people, by 
the testimony of about twenty-five creditable men, who 
were present at the trial; besides contradicting all the 
evidence produced against me. After the trial was over, 
I was invited to the Sun Tavern to supper, where we 
enjoyed ourselves for the evening. When we sat down 
to the table, several doctors were present, who were so 
offended at my being acquitted, that they left the table, 
which made me think of what the Scripture says, that 
*'• the w T icked flee when no man pursueth, but the righte- 
ous are as bold as a lion." 

During the evening, I consulted w T ith my friends upon 
the subject of prosecuting Dr. French, and making him 
pay damages for his abuse to me when a prisoner at his 
house, in saying that I had murdered fifty, and he could 
prove it; and after having had a fair chance, and having 
failed to prove one, it was thought to be a favorable op- 
portunity to make him pay something for his conduct 
towards me, in causing me so much suffering, and for 
the trouble he had made me and my friends. A prose- 
cution was agreed upon, and to bring the action in the 
county of York. Judge Rice agreed to-be my bail, and 
likewise he undertook to pay my lawyers and witnesses 
for the above trial, and paid Mr. Bartlett forty dollars 
that night. Mr. Story was paid twenty dollars by a con- 
tribution of my friends in Salem. I staid at Mrs. Rus- 
sel's that nigh^; I had but little sleep, for my mind was 
so much agitated, when I came to consider what I had 
gone through, and the risk I had run in escaping the 
snares of my enemies, with the anxiety of my family 
till they got the news of my acquittal, that sleep fled 
from my eyelids, and I was more confused than when in 
prison. 

which is published in the 6th volume of Massachusetts' Reports, 
and is resorted to by all the enemies of the practice, for a defence 
against the system. 



106 Narrative of the Life, Sec. 

The next day I went to Salisbury, and stopped with 
Mr. Osgood, where I was first arrested. Mrs. Osgood 
and a young woman who had been employed by me as 
a nurse, assisted to clean my clothes, and clear me of 
some troublesome companions I had brought with me 
from the prison; and when I had paid a visit to all my 
old friends, who were very glad to see me, I went to 
Portsmouth, to recover my health, which was very much 
impaired, by being confined forty days in those filthy 
and cold prisons, in the coldest part of a remarkably 
cold winter. My friends attended upon me, and carried 
me through a regular course of medicine ; but the first 
operation of it had little effect, in consequence of my 
blood being so much chilled, and it was a long time be- 
fore I could raise a perspiration that would hold. I am 
confident that I should not have lived through the win- 
ter in prison, and believe that this was their plan; for 
which reason they managed to have me indicted for mur- 
der; knowing in that case there could be no bail taken, 
and there would be no court at which I could be tried, 
for nearly a year, I should have to lay in prison during 
that time, and that I should probably die there; or in 
any case, they would get rid of me for one year at least, 
whether there was any thing proved against me or not; 
and in that time, the doctors and their dupes would be 
enabled to run down the credit of my'medicine, and put 
my practice into disrepute among the people; but I 
have been able, by good fortune, and the kind assistance 
of my friends, to defeat all their plans. Most of those 
that have been instrumental in trying to destroy me and 
my practice, have had some judgment befall them as a 
reward for their unjust persecutions and malicious con- 
duct towards me. I was credibly informed that Dea- 
con Pecker, one of the grand jury that found a bill 
against me, went with Dr. French, to hunt up evidence 
to come before himself, in order to have me indicted. 
A short time after I was put in prison, he had a stroke 
of the palsy, and has remained ever since, [1822,] one 
half of his body and limbs useless. Dr. French, one 
year after I was acquitted, was brought to the same 
bar in which I was placed, and convicted for rob- 
bing a grave yard of a dead body, which it was re- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 107 

ported he sold for sixty dollars. He lost all his credit, 
and was obliged to quit his country. * 

In the month of January of 1810, I returned home 
to my family, and staid till I had in some measure re- 
covered my loss of health by imprisonment. In March 
I returned to Portsmouth, and after taking the advice 
of my friends, made arrangements for prosecuting Dr. 
French. The prosecution was commenced, and he 
was summoned before the court of common pleas, in 
the County of York. Judge Rice undertook the prin- 
cipal management of the business, and became my bail. 
The action was called and carried to the Supreme 
Court by demurer, which was to set at Alfred, in Oc- 
tober. I attended with my witnesses, and expected to 
have gone to trial; and after waiting several days to 
know what the defence was going to be, the counsel for 
the defendant made their plea of justification. I found 
that their plan was to prove that I had murdered sundry 
persons whom I had attended, and by that means to 
make it out that any one had a right to call me a mur- 
derer; and that for this purpose, Dr. French had been 
to every place where I had practised, collecting every 
case of the death of any that I had attended in this 
part of Vae country, and had made out eight cases, all 
of which have been before mentioned in this narrative, 
most of whom had been given over by the doctors, as 
past cure, and the others known to be desperate cases. 
He had obtained the depositions of all that were preju- 
diced against me, and had collected a mass of evidence 
to support his defence. After finding what their plan 
was, it was thought necessary for me to go to all the 
places where they had been, and get evidence to contra- 
dict these highly colored and exaggerated statements, 
and I was under the necessity of requesting a delay of 
the trial for one week, which was granted. I proceeded 
immediately, and took the depositions of those who were 
knowing to the facts; but found that these were not 
sufficient, and went again to Deerfield, and summoned two 

* 1 do not pretend ihat these things followed on account of their 
treatment to me; but I only state them as matters of fact; for 90 it 
happened. 



108 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

men to appear at court, and give their verbal testimony. 
When I had got ready to come to trial, the defendant 
was not ready, and got it put off to the next term, 
which would be holden at York the next year. In the 
spring, before the setting of the court, I went to the 
clerk's office to find what the depositions were that were 
filed against me ; and the whole appeared to be a series 
of exaggerated statements, made by those who were gov- 
erned by their prejudices, without having but very little, 
if any, knowledge of the facts, more than what they 
obtained by hearsay. This caused me to redouble my 
diligence to get witnesses to appear on the stand to con- 
tradict their testimony $ on each case they had alleged 
against me. 

On the day appointed for the trial, every thing was 
prepared on my part to have a fair hearing. Judge Par- 
sons was on the bench, and seemed, as I thought, to be 
determined to have the case go against me; for he ap- 
peared to know every thing that was to be in the defence 
beforehand. I made out my case by proving the words 
uttered by the defendant, which were in my declaration. 
They then proceeded in the defence, to make out the 
eight cases of murder, which were alleged against me. 
The first was the case of a man by the name of Hiib- 
bard, of Eliot, who had been dead above two years, the 
particulars of which I have before stated. The witness 
Drought to support this case, told a very lamentable and 
highly colored story ; and I brought on the stand a very 
respectable witness, who completely contradicted the 
whole statement. 

The next cases brought up, were the three children 
of Mr. Fulsom, of Deerfield, the particulars of which 
have been before related. A number of depositions 
were read, which the defendant had obtained of those 
that had been my enemies, and who knew nothing of 
the matter, more than hearsay reports among them- 
selves. They gave a very highly colored account of 
my treatment of the children; so much so, that it would 
appear by their stories, that I had taken them in health, 
and had roasted them to death; never saying a word 
about the fifteen that I cured, some of which had been 
given over by the doctors. To rebut the evidence 



Of Samuel Thomson. 109 

that was produced to prove that I had killed those 
children, I brought on to the stand, two respectable wit- 
nesses, who were knowing to all the circumstances, be- 
ing present at the time of my attending the family. 
They gave a correct and particular account of all the 
circumstances as they took place; of the situation of 
the family when I first saw them, and the violence of 
the disorder; how the doctors had lost all their patients 
that had been attacked with the disorder before I came; 
with the number that I cured by my mode of practice ; 
and that the doctors afterwards adopted my plan, and 
saved the lives of a number by it. The Judge inter- 
rupted them and read some of the depositions over again; 
but these witnesses stated that they were not true, and 
went on to give some of the particulars of the opposi- 
tion I met with in my practice from those very persons, 
whose depositions had been read, when the Jadge seem- 
ed put out, and attempted to stop them, saving they had 
said enough. They said that having sworn to tell the 
whole truth, they felt it their duty to do it. 

They next brought on the case of a woman who had 
died at Beverly, that I had attended, and with it the 
case of Ezra Lovett, whom I had oeen tried for mur- 
dering. I was very glad to have this case brought up 
again, as I wished to have an opportunity to prove all 
the facts relating to it, which I had been prevented, from 
doing on my trial, in consequence of being acquitted 
without making any defence. The evidence brought 
forward to support this case, were the depositions of 
those who had testified against me on my trial at Salem; 
they were pretty near the same as then given. After 
those depositions were read, I called on to the stand 
Elder Williams and Mr. Raymond, who gave all the par- 
ticulars of my attending upon the young man, as has 
been before related, which- completely contradicted all 
the depositions they had read in the case. The Judge 
interrupted these witnesses, and read the deposition of 
the girl, who stated that I crowded my pukes down the 
patient's throat, and he cried murder till he died. They 
both positively testified, that there was not a word of it 
true; for when he died, and for twelve hours before, 
he was under the care of Dr. Howe, during which 
10 



110 $ Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

time I did not see him. As to the woman in Beverly ^ 
whom they tried to make out that I murdered, it was 
proved by these witnesses, that she was in a dying con- 
dition when I first saw her, and that I so stated it as my 
opinion at the time, and that my medicine would not help 
her. 

The next case was that of Mrs. LifTord, who died at 
Salisbury, the particulars of which have been before 
given. The evidence brought to prove this case of 
murder, was the deposition of the woman who nursed 
her, aad by whose neglect the patient took cold, after 
the medicine had a very favorable operation, and ap- 
pearances were much in her favor; in consequence of 
which she had a relapse, and I could not produce any 
effect upon her by the medicine afterwards. This 
woman confessed at the time, that she was the only one 
to blame, ajid that no fault ought to be attached to me; 
but she aiterwards was influenced by Dr. French to turn 
against me, and made threats that she would swear to 
any thing to injure me. After her deposition was read, 
I brought witnesses on the stand, who completely con- 
tradicted every thing contained in it; but the Judge read 
her deposition to the jury, and directed them to pay 
attention to that in preference to the witnesses on the 
stand. 

The eighth and last case was that of the son of 
Thomas Neal, of Portsmouth, who was very violently 
attacked, and was attended by Dr. Cutter. I was call- 
ed on at night to attend him, and thought there was a 
possibility of helping him; but the man with whom he 
lived, would not consent that I should do any thing for 
him, and I went away, after telling them that he would 
be either worse or better before morning, and if he 
was worse he would die. I was called to visit him in 
the morning, and was informed that he was worse, and 
that his master had consented to have me attend upon 
him. I told his father it was undoubtedly too late ; but 
he insisted upon it so much, I attended, and told them 
the chance was very small for doing him any good, as I 
considered it a desperate case. After being very hardly 
urged by his friends, I gave him some medicine, but it 
had no effect, and about sun-down he died. The doctor 



Of Samuel Thomson. Ill 

who attended him was brought forward to prove that I 
murdered the patient. If I recollect rightly, he swore 
that the patient had the dropsy in the brain, and that 
the disorder had turned, and he was in a fair way to re- 
cover; but I came and gave him my poison pukes, and 
killed him. I brought forward evidence who swore to 
the facts as I have above related them, and that the 
doctor would give no encouragement of helping the pa- 
tient. The father of the young man gave his evidence, 
and stated that the son was in a dying situation when I 
gave him medicine ; but the Judge interrupted him, and 
asked if he was a doctor, to which he answered no. He 
then said the doctor has stated that his disorder had 
turned, and he was getting better; are you going to 
contradict the doctor ? and thus managed to do away his 
testimony. 

I have thus given a brief sketch of the evidence in 
the eight cases, which were attempted to be proved as 
murder, in order to make out justification on the part 
of the defendant, with my defence to the same, in as 
correct a manner as I am able from memory; and am 
confident that every circumstance as I have related it, 
can be substantially proved by living witnesses. After 
the evidence was gone through, the lawyers on both 
sides made their pleas, making the case on my part as 
good and as bad as they could. The Judge then gave 
his charge to the jury, which was considered by those 
who heard it, to be the most prejudiced and partial one 
that had ever been heard before. He made use of every 
means to raise the passions of the jury, and turn them 
against me; stating that the defendant was completely 
justified in calling me a murderer; for if I was not guilty 
of wilful murder, it was barbarous ignorant murder; and 
he even abused my lawyers for taking up for me, say- 
ing that they ought to be paid in screw-augers and bull- 
dogs. The people that were present were very much 
disgusted at his conduct, and they expressed themselves 
very freely upon the subject. It was said by some, that 
our courts, instead of being courts of justice, had be- 
come courts of prejudice. One man said that he hoped 
Judge Parsons would never have another opportunity to 
sit on a cause; which prediction turned out true, for he 



112 Narrative of the Life } #c, 

soon after had a stroke of the palsy, and as I am inform- 
ed, died before the next court met. The jury brought 
in their verdict of justification on the part of the defend- 
ant, and throwed the whole cost on me, which amounted 
to about two thousand dollars. 

When I found how the case was going to turn, I went to 
Portsmouth, and soon after made arrangements to pay 
the costs. Judge Rice was my bail, and undertook to pay 
all the bills that I had not paid at the time. On my set- 
tlement with him, I owed him six hundred dollars for 
money that he had advanced on my account; for which 
I had no way to secure him, but by giving him a mort- 
gage of my farm; which I did, and it was put on record, 
and never known to any of my friends till I had paid it 
up. He charged nothing for all his time and trouble, 
through the whole of my persecutions and trials, for 
which, and for his kindness and friendship on all occa- 
sions, I shall ever consider myself under the greatest 
obligations. 

Some time in the spring of the year previous to this 
trial at York, a young man came to me at Portsmouth, 
by the name of Alfred Carpenter, from the town where 
my family lived. He was recommended to me by his 
neighbors, as being lame and poor, and wanted my as- 
sistance. I took him out of pity, and instructed him in 
my mode of practice, under the expectation that it would 
be a benefit to him, and thereby he would be able to as- 
sist me in attending the sick. 

About the first of June, 1811, I received a letter from 
Eastport, where I had been the fall before and shown 
some of my mode of practice. Some of the people in 
that place were so well satisfied with it, that seven men 
had subscribed their names to the letter, requesting me 
to come there and practise in the fevers, which prevail- 
ed in those parts. I left the care of my business at 
Portsmouth with Mr. Carpenter, my apprentice, and 
immediately took passage for Eastport, where I arrived 
about the middle of June. I was very gladly received 
by those who had wrote to me, and by those with whom 
I had become acquainted when there before. I agreed 
to practise under the protection of those who had sent 
for me, until I had convinced, them of its utility, t$ 



Of Samuel Thomson. 113 

which they consented, and promised me all the assist- 
ance in their power. I was soon called on to practise, 
and had all the most desperate cases that could be found, 
in all of which I met with very great success. The 
first cases I attended in presence of the committee, 
were five desperate cases of consumption. These pa- 
tients were all relieved in three wee&s, and were all liv- 
ing this present year, (1831.) While attending these 
people, I was called upon to attend a young man on 
board a vessel, who had his foot bruised to pieces by a 
block falling from mast-head, weighing thirteen pounds. 
It being done five days before I saw him, it was mortifi- 
ed, and the whole body in convulsions. I took off three 
toes and set the fourth, and cured him in five weeks 
with the usual practice. While attending him, I had to 
pass a doctor's shop. A scythe was thrown at me, point 
first, about the distance of two rods. It passed between 
my feet without doing any injury. In consequence of 
this assault, I sent word to all the doctors who had op- 
posed me, that for the politeness with which they had 
treated me, I would compensate them by taking off the 
burden of being called up at night, and thus breaking 
their rest, and would give them the chance of laying in 
bed until noon, without being disturbed by their patients. 

I was called on the night following to attend a woman 
in child-bed. I attended according to my promise, and 
let them rest; and if I had remained there, they might 
have rested until the present time, as I attended to all 
branches in practice. 

There was, I think, at that time, five practising doc- 
tors on the Island, among whom my success in curing 
the sick caused great alarm; and I soon experienced 
the same determined opposition from them, with all the 
arts and plans to destroy me and my practice, that I had 
experienced from the same class of men in other places. 
In order to show some of their conduct towards me, i 
shall relate the particulars of some of the cases I attend- 
ed; but most of the numerous cases which I had under 
my care, were so nearly similar to those that have been 
already given, and my mode of treating them being 
about the same, that it will be unnecessary to repeat 
them. 

10* 



114 Narrative of the Life, Sfc. 

I was sent for to visit a Mrs. Lovett, who was the 
daughter of Mr. Delisdernier, at whose house I attend- 
ed her. She had the dropsy, and had been under the 
care of one of the doctors, till he had given her over 
as incurable. I went to see her in company with the 
doctor; but we could not agree as to the cause and 
remedy. I asked him several questions concerning the 
power of the elements, and the effect of heat on the 
human system. He answered that the elements had 
nothing to do with the case. After giving him my ideas 
on the subject, which all appeared to be new to him, I 
told him that the contending powers in this case were be- 
tween the fire and water; and if I could g-et heat enough 
in the body to make the water volatile, it could not stay 
in the body. He said that any thing warm would not 
answer for her. I then asked him how he thought the 
hottest medicine would do. He said it would produce 
immediate death. I then told him that if I did any 
thing for her, I should administer the hottest medicine I 
could give. Finding there would be a disadvantage on 
my part in doing any thing for her, as the doctor and I 
could not agree, I left the house. I was followed by the 
father and mother and the doctor, who all insisted on 
my returning; but I told them that notwithstanding the 
doctor had given her over, if I was to attend her and 
she should die, they would say that I killed her. They 
promised that, let the consequences be what they might, 
no blame should be alleged against me. Upon which I 
agreed that I would stop, on condition that two of my 
friends should be present as witnesses to what was said, 
and see the first process of the medicine, which was 
agreed to, and they were sent for, and heard the state- 
ments of the doctor and family. A Capt. Mitchell, from 
New York, was also present, and heard the conversation 
between me and the doctor; and being pleased with the 
principles that I laid down, which excited his curiosity 
so much that he expressed a wish to be present and see 
the operation of the medicine, and staid accordingly. 

The doctor pretended to be going away till after I 
had given the first medicine, and appeared to be very 
busy going out and coming in, and had much conversa- 
tion with Mrs. Lovett, the husband 5 s mother, who was 



Of Samuel Thomson. 115 

the nurse. After the first medicine had done, which 
operated very favorably, I gave directions what to do, 
and particularly to keep the patient in perspiration 
during the night, and left medicine for that purpose; we 
then went home. In the morning I called to see her, 
and to n:v surprise found her sitting with the window 
up. and exposed to the air as much as possible; on 
examination, I found that no. medicine had been used. 
On inquiry, I found that the doctor had been in fre- 
quently to see her; and on asking why they had not 
followed my directions, the nurse appeared very cross, 
and said she would not take any of my medicine. I 
told them that they had not killed her, but I did not 
thank them for their good will any more than if they 
had done it. I was aoout leaving the house, as I found 
mv directions would not be attended to by the nurse, 
but Capt. Mitchell was very urgent for me to continue. 
I told him that if he would attend upon her and see the 
medicine given and every thing done according to my 
directions, I would continue, to which he agreed. I 
left the patient in his care, and he attended her faithful- 
ly through the day; at night I visited her, and found the 
swelling began to abate. He continued his care of her, 
and in three days she was able to go up and down stairs, 
and in one week she was well. By the influence of 
the doctor, the woman and the husband all turned against 
me, and I never received any thing for my trouble, but 
their abuse and slander. The woman's father and Capt. 
Mitchell, however, gave me all credit for the cure, and 
they both purchased a right. 

About a year aftei, at a private assembly of women, 
this Mrs. Lovett, the mother-in-law of the sick woman, 
gave an account of the whole transaction, and stated 
that there was a private interview between her and the 
doctor, and it was agreed to go contrary to my direc- 
tions, and the doctor said she would die in the course 
of the night; and that he should take me up for murder, 
and that she must be an evidence. This appeared to 
be almost incredible, that they should be so void of all 
human feelings, as to be willing to have the woman die, 
in order to have the opportunity to take me up for mur- 
der; but tw T o women who were present when she told 



116 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

the story, gave their depositions proving the facts as 
above stated. 

I continued my practice on the Island, at Lubec, and 
on the main, paying my most particular attention to those 
who sent for me, and wanted information. I practised 
under their inspection about five weeks, and then told 
them that I had done enough for a trial, to prove the 
use of the medicine, and should do no more till I knew 
whether a society could be formed. They expressed 
their entire satisfaction, and wished to have a society 
formed; a meeting was called for that purpose, and six- 
teen signed the articles at the first meeting. After this, 
a meeting was held every week, at which a lecture was 
given for the purpose of giving information, and for the 
admission of members; and eight each week were added 
during the summer. In the fall, I went back to Ports- 
mouth to attend to my business there, and see to the 
society which had been formed in that place. 

After staying in Portsmouth a few weeks to give in- 
formation to the people, and procuring a stock of medi- 
cine, I made arrangements to return to Eastport; and 
some time in the month of October, I set sail for that 
place, taking with me my apprentice and Stephen Sewell. 
On my arrival, I introduced Mr. Carpenter as my ap- 
prentice, and got Mr. Sewell into a school as an assist- 
ant; in which he had fifteen dollars a month, and all his 
leisure time he attended to gain information of the prac- 
tice. I took a small shop, and put into it a good assort- 
ment of medicine, and attended to practice till I had got 
Mr. Carpenter introduced among the people. 

While practising here, I frequently heard of the abuse 
and scandal towards me and m; practice, from Mrs. 
Lovett, the old woman before mentioned, as the nurse of 
her son's wife, whom I cured of the dropsy. This old 
woman was a singular character, and was called a witch 
by the people ; I have no faith in these kind of things, 
jet her conduct, and certain circumstances that took 
place, were very extraordinary, and puzzled and aston- 
ished me more than any thing I had ever met with, 
and which I have never been able to account for to 
this day. Mr. Carpenter was attending a man, where 
this woman often visited, who had the consumption, and 



Of Samuel Thomson. 117 

his child, which was sick and hiad fits. He came to me 
and said that the medicine he gave would not have its 
usual effect; that the emetic, instead of causing them 
to vomit, would make them choke and almost strangle, 
I attended them myself, and on giving the medicine, it 
would operate on the man, and not on the child at one 
time, and the next time on the child and not on him. 
Sometimes the child would lay in fits, for a whole night, 
and nothing would have any effect upon it; in the morn- 
ing it would come out of them and appear to be quite 
bright and lively. I had never known the medicine to 
fail of producing some effect before, where the patient 
was not so far gone as not to have life enough left to 
build upon. I can give no reason for this strange cir- 
cumstance, satisfactory to myself, or which would be 
thought reasonable by the readers. The old woman, 
before mentioned , was frequently in and out of the house 
where the man and child were, and seemed to be very 
much interested about them; when she was gone the 
child would frequently go into violent fits, and when I 
steamed it, it was said the old woman would be in great 
distress. It caused much conversation among the nci^h- 
bors; they believed it to be the power of witchcraft; 
and that the old woman had a control over the destinies 
of the man and child, and was determined to destroy 
them, in order to get her revenge on me. I have no be- 
lief in these things; but must confess that her strange 
conduct, and the extraordinary circumstances attending 
the whole affair, baffled me more than any thing I had 
ever met with before. I was unable to do any thing for 
these two patients, except sometimes by a temporary re- 
lief. They continued to grow worse, and finding it not 
in my power to do them any good, I left them, and they 
both soon after died. 

Whether the extraordinary circumstances attending 
the two cases above stated, were caused by a stratagem 
of the doctors, in which the old woman was made their 
agent, to injure me by causing in some way or other 
poisonous medicines to be administered to them in order 
to prevent my medicine from having any salutary effect, 
is what I do not feel disposed to assert as a fact ; but the 
many cases in which I have been certain that such things 



118 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

have been done by the faculty, and their enmity and 
uniform opposition to my practice, both at this place and 
elsewhere, as well as the confession made by the old 
woman, would tend strongly to confirm such a belief. 
I could mention a great number of facts in addition to 
what I have said in regard to this affair, if necessary, 
which appeared very extraordinary to me and all who 
witnessed them; but I think that enough has been said 
on the subject, and shall leave it to the public to decide 
between us. There were five doctors at Eastport when 
I went there; who had a plenty of business; but my 
success was so great, and the people became so well 
satisfied of t^e superiority of my system of practice over 
theirs, that they were soon relieved from most of their 
labours; and in a short time after, three of them had to 
leave the place for want of employment. 

I made arrangements to go back to Portsmouth to 
spend the winter, and to leave Mr Carpenter with the 
care of my business and practice at Eastport, under the 
protection of John Burgin, Esq: a man who has been 
particularly friendly to me on all occasions. I told him 
if he would be faithful in my business and in selling med- 
icine, that he should have half the profits after the 
money was collected; and in December I took pas-sage 
for Portsmouth. We had a long and tedious passage of 
eighteen days; the vessel took fire and our lives were 
exposed; but we were fortunate enough to extinguish 
it without much damage. I stopped in Portsmouth and 
practised some time, then went to see my family, where 
I remained the rest of the winter, in which time I was 
employed in collecting and preparing medicine. I re- 
turned to Portsmouth in the spring of 1812, and after 
making the necessary arrangements, I set sail for East- 
port, where I arrived about the first of May. I made a 
settlement with Mr. Burgin, and puidhim sixty-three dol- 
lars for the board of Mr. Carpenter, and for shop rent. 
Then furnished the shop with a complete stock of med- 
icine, to which I added cordials and spirits, the whole 
of which amounted to about twelve hundred dollars. 
There was a great call for medicine this spring, and also 
for practice. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 119 

After arranging my business, I concluded to return 
to Portsmouth; a short time before I came away, a Mr. 
Whitney came to me for assistance, and purchased a 
right. About the same time, a Mr. McFadden applied 
also for assistance, who had the consumption. I left 
them both under the care of Mr. Carpenter, and imme- 
diately sailed for Portsmouth, where I arrived in safety. 
Soon after my arrival there, I found there was going to 
be a war with Great Britain; in consequence of which, 
I returned immediately back to Eastport to settle my 
affairs in that place. In a short time afteT my arrival 
there, the declaration of war came on, and I made the 
best arrangements of my business I could, leaving Mr. 
Carpenter with directions, if there should any thing 
happen in consequence of the war, so as to be necessary 
for him to leave the Island, to come to Portsmouth. 
Before leaving the place, I called on him for some money, 
and all he could pay me was sixty-four dollars, which 
was but one dollar more than I had paid for his board 
and shop rent. The people were in such confusion it 
was impossible to get a settlement with any one. I left 
Mr. Whitney and Mr. McFadden in his care, and left 
the Island about the middle of June, and arrived in 
Portsmouth in forty-eight hours, where I remained the 
greater part of the summer; during which time I had 
constant practice, and formed some regulations for the 
society, which was established there, for the purpose of 
greater facility in communicating information of my 
system of practice to the people who wished my assist- 
ance. In the fall of this year I published my pamphlet 
of directions, as many were urgent that I should not 
leave the place destitute of the knowledge of my prac- 
tice and medicine. Many persons who had been the 
most urgent for me to give them information, now be- 
came the most backward, and complained that the re- 
strictions were too hard with regard to their giving 
the information to others; some of whom had never 
done the least thing to support the practice or me. 
When any of them were sick they were ready enough 
to call on me for assistance; and if I relieved them 
quick, they thought it worth nothing, and they run 
out against my practice, saying I deserved no pay. 



120 Narrative of the Life, 8$c. 

This sort of treatment I have met with from a cer- 
tain class of people in all places where I have practis- 
ed. I was treated with much attention when they 
were in danger from sickness; but when I had cured 
them I was thought no more of. This kind of in- 
gratitude I have experienced a pretty large share of 
during my practice. 

In the month of October, having got my business ar- 
ranged, and a stock of medicine prepared, I returned to 
Eastport. On my arrival there I went to my shop, and 
found that Mr. Carpenter had gone home, and Mr. Mc- 
Fadden and a Mr. Harvey, left very sick, and only a 
boy to take care of them and the shop. Mr. McFadden 
was very low with a consumption, and unable to lay down. 
I found there was no regulation of the business in the 
shop, and the property I had, chiefly gone. I was 
obliged to pay every attention to the sick men that had 
been left in this manner without assistance ; I attended 
Mr. Harvey, and got him well enough to go home in a 
few days ; and Mr. McFadden was so put to it for breath 
and was so distressed, that I had to be with him night 
and day for six weeks and three days, when Mr. Car- 
penter returned. Previous to this, I found that Mr. Mc- 
Fadden had put his farm into the hands of Mr. Carpen- 
ter as security for his attending him in his sickness; and 
as he had no relations the remainder to go to him and 
me. On inquiry into the business I found that he had 
taken a deed in his own name and that all the bills and 
accounts for his practice and medicine in my absence 
were in his own name. I asked him for a settlement 
and he refused; I then asked him what he meant by his 
conduct; he said he owed me nothing, and bid me defi- 
ance, saying if I chose I might take the steps of the law. 
I could not conceive what he meant by treating me in 
this manner, till after making further inquiry, I found 
that he had formed a connection in a family; that he 
had been advised to take the course he did, and as I had 
no receipt for the property, or any written agreement to 
support my claim, he could do with me as he pleased, 
and keep every thing for his own benefit. The night 
after he returned, and before I had any knowledge of 
his intentions, he had robbed the shop of all the ac- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 121 

counts, notes, bills, and all other demands, so that I 
knew no more about the business than a stranger. 

I frequently tried to get a settlement with Carpenter: 
but he said he had none to make with me. Mr. Mc- 
Fadden died shortly after, and Carpenter came forward 
and claimed all his property, saying that it was all will- 
ed to him. I asked him why it should be willed to him, 
when I had borne the expense and done the principal 
part of the labor in taking care of him in his sickness. 
He said I must look to him for my pay. I told him that 
it was very singular that my apprentice had become my 
master in one year; he denied that he was my appren- 
tice, and said that he was a partner; but I had said in 
order to encourage him to be faithful and do well by me, 
he should have half the profits of the practice, and that 
I had no idea of his having the whole of my property, 
because I made him this promise. All I could say I 
found would have no effect, for the more I tried to rea- 
son with him, the more obstinate and impudent he was. 
He even went so far as to say that the shop and all that 
was in it was his, and that I had nothing to do with it; 
he called a witness and forbid my having any concern in 
the shop. I found there was no other way for me, but 
to turn him out and get rid of him in the best manner I 
could; to effect which I applied to the owner of the shop 
and got a writing to prove my claim to the possession, 
and immediately took measures to get rid of him. He 
made all the opposition, and gave me all the trouble he 
could; he went into the shop while I was absent, and 
began to throw the property out into the street; but I 
soon put a stop to his career, and secured the property 
from his reach. He still held all my books and accounts, 
which put my business into such confusion that I was un- 
able to collect any of the demands that were due; and 
the only remedy I had was to advertise him as my ap- 
prentice, and forbid all persons having any dealings with 
him on my account, or settling with him. My loss by 
the dishonest conduct of this man was very considerable, 
besides the injury to my feelings from his base ingrati- 
tude to me ; for I had taken him from a state of poverty 
and distress ; supported him for a long time when he was 
of very little benefit to me ; and had instructed him in my 
11 



122 Namative of the Life, fyc. 

system of practice, and given him all the information in 
my power; had introduced him into practice, and given 
him every encouragement to enable him not only to 
assist me in supporting my system of practice, but to 
benefit himself; and after all this, for him to turn against 
me and treat me in the manner he did, was a deeper 
wound to my feelings than the loss of my property. 

After having got clear of Carpenter, I hired a young 
man whom I had cured and given information to, and 
put him into the shop, and agreed to pay his board for 
one year, and then returned to Portsmouth. As Car- 
penter had bid me defiance, and threatened to sell my 
rights, and give information to any one who would buy 
of him; and likewise I found that there was another 
plot got up to destroy me ; a petition had been sent on 
to the Legislature, to have a law passed against quacke- 
ry, in which I was named; and there can be no doubt 
but that the whole object of it was to stop my prac- 
tice; I was at a stand, and put to much perplexity to 
know what course it was best to steer. I found I had 
enemies on every hand, and was in danger of falling by 
some one of them. Every thing seemed to conspire 
against me; but I had some friends who have never for- 
saken me; my courage remained good, and my spirits 
were never depressed; and it appeared to me that the 
more troubles I had to encounter, the more firmly I was 
fixed in my determination to persevere unto the last. 

When I had maturely considered the subject in all 
its bearings, and exercised my best abilities in devising 
some plan by which I could extricate myself from the 
dangers which threatened me on every hand; and to 
prevent those rights, which twenty years labor, with 
much suffering and great expense had given me a just 
claim to, from being wrested from me; I finally came 
to the conclusion that there was only one plan for me 
to pursue with any chance of success; and that was 
to go on to Washington, and obtain a patent for my 
discoveries; and put myself and medicine under the 
protection of the laws of my country, which would not 
only secure to me the exclusive right to my system and 
medicine, but would put me above the reach of the laws 
of any state. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 123 

After coming to the conclusion to go on to the seat 
of government and apply for a patent, made all necessa- 
ry preparation for the journey, and started from Ports- 
mouth on the 7th of February, and arrived at Washing- 
ton on the 23d. The next day after my arrival, I wait- 
ed on Capt. Nicholas Gilman, of Exeter, showed him my 
credentials, and asked his advice, what I must do to ob- 
tain my object. He said that he thought it could not be 
made explicit enough to combine the system and prac- 
tice, without being too long; he however advised me to 
carry my petition to the patent office; which was then 
under the control of Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State. 
I went to the patent office, and found that Dr. Thornton 
was the Clerk, and presented him my petition. He 
asked me many questions, and then said I must call 
again; I called again the next day, and he said the peti- 
tion was not right; that I must specify the medicine, 
and what disorder it must be used in; he said that those 
medicines in general terms to cure every thing, was 
quackery; that I must particularly designate the medi- 
cine, and state how it must be used, and in what disease. 
I then waited on Martin Chittenden, late governor of 
Vermont, who was at Washington, and asked his as- 
sistance ; he was from the same town where my father 
lived, and readily consented. We made out the specifi- 
cations in as correct a manner as we could, and the 
next day I carried them to the patent office, and gave 
them to Dr. Thornton; he complained much about its 
being too short a system, and put me off once more. I 
applied again and asked him for my patent; but he 
said I had not got the botanic names for the articles, 
and referred me to Dr. Mitchell, of New York, who 
was in the House of Representatives. 1 applied to him, 
and requested him to give the botanic names to the 
articles mentioned in my petition. He wrote them, and 
I carried them to Dr. Thornton ; but he was unable to 
read some of the names, one in particular; he said I 
must go again to Dr. Mitchell, and get him to give it 
in some other words, and not tell him that he could not 
read it. I went, and the doctor wrote the same word 
again, and then wrote, or " Snap-dragon;" which I 
carried to Dr. Thornton, and requested him to put in 



124 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

the patent my names, and record it for himself, snap- 
dragon, or any other name he chose. He then talked 
about sending me to Philadelphia, to Dr. Barton, to get 
his names. 

I found he was determined to give me all the trouble 
he could, and if possible to defeat my getting a patent, 
and I intimated that I should go with my complaint to 
Mr. Monroe, upon which he seemed a little more dis- 
posed to grant my request, and said he would do without 
Dr. Barton's names. He then went to work to make 
out the patent, and when he came to the article of 
myrrh, he found much fault about that, and said it was 
good for nothing. I told him that I paid for the patent, 
and if it was good for nothing it was my loss. After 
much trouble, I got it made out according to my request, 
and the medicine to be used in fevers, colics, dysen- 
teries and rheumatisms; he then asked me if I wanted 
any additions, and I told him to add, "the three first 
numbers may be used in any other case to promote per- 
spiration, or as an emetic," which he did. I then had 
to go to the treasury office and pay my money and bring 
him duplicate receipts. After all this trouble, I at length 
succeeded in obtaining my patent according to my 
request, which was completed and delivered to me on 
the third day of March, 1813. 

The next day after I had completed my business, 
was the day of inauguration of the President of the 
United States; and I had the curiosity to stay and see' 
the ceremonies on that occasion. After the ceremo- 
nies were over I went to the stage office and found 
that the seats were all engaged for a fortnight; and was 
obliged to stay till the 13th before I could get a passage. 
I then took passage in the stage and came on to Phila- 
delphia, where I remained several days for the purpose 
©f seeing Drs. Rush and Barton, to confer with them 
upon the subject of introducing my system of practice 
to the world. I spent considerable time with Dr. Bar- 
ton; but Dr. Rush was so much engaged, that I was 
unable to have but little conversation more than stating 
my business. He treated me with much politeness; and 
said that whatever Dr. Barton agreed to, he would give 
his consent, so that my business was chiefly with the lat- 



Of Samuel TJiomson. 125 

ter gentleman. I asked him many questions concerning 
my system and patent, and requested his advice of the 
best mode of introducing it. He advised me to make 
friends of some celebrated doctors, and let them try the 
medicine, and give the public such recommendation of it 
as they should deem correct. I told him that I feared 
that if I should do so, they would take the discovery to 
themselves, and deprive me of all credit or benefit from 
my labors, and asked him if he thought that would not 
be the case. He said it might with some, but he thought 
there were some of the profession honorable enough not 
to do it. I asked him if he would make a trial of it him- 
self, and give it such credit as he should find it to de- 
serve. He said that if I would trust it in his hands, he 
should be pleased, and would do justice to me and the 
cause. I accordingly left some of the medicine with 
him, with directions how to use it ; but before I received 
any return from him, he died; and Dr. Rush also died 
some time previous; by which means I was deprived of 
the influence of these two men, which I was confident 
would otherwise have been exerted in my favor. 

During my interviews with Dr. Barton, we had much 
conversation upon the subject- of the medical skill, and 
he being quite sociable and pleasant, I expressed myself 
very freely upon the fashionable mode of practice, used 
by the physicians of the present day. He acknowledged 
there was no art or science so uncultivated as that of 
medicine. I stated to him pretty fully my opinion of 
the absurdity of bleeding to cure disease; and pointed 
out its inconsistency, inasmuch as the same method was 
made use of to cure a sick man as to kill a well beast. 
He laughed and said it was strange logic enough. 

While in the city of Philadelphia, I examined into 
their mode of treating the yellow fever; and found to 
my astonishment that the treatment prescribed by Dr. 
Rush was to bleed twice a day for ten days. It appear- 
ed to me very extraordinary to bleed twenty times to 
cure the most fatal disease ever known; and am confi- 
dent that the same manner of treatment would kill one 
half of those in health. This absurd practice being 
followed by the more ignorant class of the faculty, mere- 
11* 



126 Narrative of the Life, <St. 

\y because it has been recommended in some particular 
cases by a great man, has, I have not the least doubt, 
destroyed more lives than has ever been killed by powder 
and ball in this country in the same time. Those I 
met in the streets, who had escaped the fatal effect of 
bleeding, mercury, and other poisons, carried death in 
their countenance; and on conversing with them, they 
said they had never been well since they had the fever; 
that they took so much mercury and opium, they were 
afraid that they were in a decline. 

After remaining in Philadelphia about two weeks, I 
went in the stage to New York, where I obtained a pas- 
sage in a coaster, and arrived in Portsmouth on the 5th 
day of April. Immediately after my arrival at Ports- 
mouth, I gave public notice in the newspapers, of my 
having obtained a patent, and forbid all persons tres- 
passing upon it under the penalty of the law in such 
cases provided; and prepared and published a handbill, 
in which I gave a description of the nature of disease 
on the constitution of man; and also the conditions of 
disposing of the right of using my system of practice; 
and taking a number of the handbills with me, sat out 
for Eastport, where I arrived about the first of May. 
On my arrival, the handbills were circulated among the 
people, which caused considerable stir among them, par- 
ticularly with the doctors, who seemed surprised' that I 
had obtained a patent. I again called on Mr. Carpenter 
for a settlement; but could obtain none, for his friends 
advised against it, telling him that he could still pursue 
the practice in spite of my patent, by calling the medicine 
by different names. I furnished my shop with a stock of 
medicine, and ^nade an agreement with Mr. Mowe, the 
young man whom I had employed since Carpenter was dis- 
missed, to continue the practice for me, and take charge 
of my business at this place. My expenses for his wages, 
board and shop rent, were about one dollar per day; and 
the amount of the practice and sale of medicine, was 
about one hundred dollars per month. 

While at Eastport, I met with a loss, which I will 
mention, to show the hard fortune I had to contend with. 
Wishing to send one hundred dollars to my friend Judge 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 127 

Rice, in part payment for what I owed him, took two 
fifty dollar bills, and went to the post-office and gave them 
to the post master, with a letter directed to Alexander 
Rice, Esq. Portsmouth, requesting him to secure them 
in the letter in a proper manner, and send it on. The 
letter was never received in Portsmouth, and no traces 
of it could be found. I had strong suspicions that the 
post master at Eastport destroyed the letter and kept 
the money. I made arrangements to inquire further 
into his conduct, but shortly after he fell from a preci- 
pice and was killed, which put a stop to pursuing the 
subject any further; so it turned out a total loss to me. 

After settling my business in Eastport, I returned to 
Portsmouth, where I stopped but a short time; and tak- 
ing Mr. Sewell with me, went to Portland, to introduce 
my practice in that place. On our arrival, I advertised 
my patent in the newspapers, and had handbills printed 
and circulated among the people, giving the conditions 
on which I should practise, and the manner of selling 
family rights, to those who wished the use of my prac- 
tice and medicine; and that I should attend to no case 
except such as wished to purchase the rights, to give 
them information, and prove the utility of the medicine. 
I gave the information to Mr. Fickett, where we board- 
ed, and a right of using the medicine for himself and 
family; and gave information to several of his workmen. 
Soon after making myself known, I had a great number 
of desperate cases put under nay charge, all of which 
were cured, or essentially relieved. My success in the 
cases I attended, most of which were such as had been 
given over by the doctors, caused great alarm among 
those professional gentlemen who are styled regular phy- 
sicians ; and I experienced the same opposition from them 
that I had met with in other places. I was followed by 
them, or their spies, and all kinds of false and ridiculous 
reports were circulated among the people to frighten and 
prejudice them against me and my medicine. 

Soon after coming to this place, I was called on by 
Capt. John Alden, to attend his wife, who was in a very 
alarming situation. She was in a state of pregnancy, 
and had the dropsy, and was then, as she supposed, 
several weeks over her time. She had been in the same 



128 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

situation once before, and was delivered by force, and 
came very near losing her life; the doctors gave it as 
their opinion, that if she should ever be so again, she 
would certainly die. I told him that I did not attend 
on any except those who wished to purchase the right, 
in which cases I would give them the information. I 
explained to him the principles upon which my system 
was founded, and he purchased a right; after which, I 
attended upon his wife, and found her very low; she 
had not lain in bed for three weeks, being so put to it 
for breath when she lay down, was obliged to get im- 
mediately up again. I carried her through a course of 
the medicine three times in five days, during which she 
was reduced in size about eight inches; her travail then 
came on natural, and in about two hours she was deliv- 
ered of a daughter, and they both did well. She was 
able to come down stairs in one week, and in two weeks 
was well enough to be about the house. This cure so 
alarmed the doctors, that they circulated a story at a 
distance, where the facts were not known, that I was 
so ignorant of this woman's situation, that I killed her 
immediately; but the woman and her husband gave me 
all credit for the cure, and appeared very grateful to me 
for it. 

During the summer, a son of Capt. Alden was vio- 
lently seized with the spotted fever; he was taken very 
suddenly, when at the pump after water, fell and was 
brought into the house senseless. I attended him, and 
his jaws being set, administered a strong solution of 
Nos. 1. 2, and 6, by putting my finger between his cheek 
and teeth, and pouring in the medicine; squeezing it 
round to the back of his teeth, and as soon* as it reached 
the roots of his tongue, his jaws came open; I then 
poured down more of the medicine, and soon after 
swallowing it, his senses came to him, and he spoke; 
he appeared like a person waking out of a sleep. As 
soon as the warm effect of the medicine was over, he 
relapsed, and life seemed to go down with the heat. I 
found that I could not restore him till I could rarify or 
lighten the air; T laid him across the laps of three per- 
sons, shielding him from external air with a blanket, and 
put under him a pan with a hot stone in it about half im- 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 129 

rnersed in hot water; while over this steam, again gave 
the medicine, which raised a perspiration; and as the 
heat raised inside, life gained in proportion; and when 
the perspiration had gained, so as to be equal to a 
state of health, the natural vigor of life and action was 
restored. 

I was called on to attend a woman who had a relax, 
and in a few visits restored her to health. One night 
about midnight I was sent for to visit this woman in con- 
sequence of their being alarmed about her, the cause of 
which I could never learn; for on my arrival she was as 
well as usual. I returned immediately home and was 
soon after taken in a violent manner with the same dis- 
ease; and was so bad as not to be able to do any thing 
for myself. Mr. Sewell attended upon me, and did all 
he could, which had no effect. I was persuaded that I 
should not live three days unless I could get some relief. 
I had no pain and every thing I took passed through me 
in two minutes; nothing seemed to warm me. I sent 
■and obtained some butternut bark, boiled it, and took 
some as strong as it could be made; as soon as it began 
to operate, I followed it with brandy and loaf sugar burnt 
together, till it became a syrup; this soon put me in pain; 
I then followed my general rule of treatment, and was 
soon relieved. 

While at Portland, I was sent for to see a Mr. Mason, 
who was very sick, and it was expected that he would 
not live through the night. He had been attended by 
the doctors of the town, for a sore on his nose, which 
was much inflamed; they had given him so much salt- 
petre to kill the heat that they almost killed him. I 
had the hardest trial to save his life of any one I ever 
attended; and was obliged to carry him through a 
course of medicine two or three times a week for three 
months, besides visiting him every day. The doctors 
said he would certainly die, and if he did, they meant 
to take me up for murder; and every means were re- 
sorted to, by discouraging him and other ways, to pre- 
vent his getting well; and when he got so as to be about, 
and it was decided that he was going to recover under 
the operation of the medicine, one who pretended to be 
his friend gave him a bottle of pepper vinegar. I had 



130 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

made a free use of this article in his case, and he took 
some of what was given him by this friend, and he soon 
grew worse. The man who gave him the pepper vine- 
gar often inquired how he did, and when told that he 
was worse, he would say that I should kill him. I could 
not ascertain the reason of this patient being affected in 
the manner he was, till Mr. Sewell took some of the 
same, and was immediately taken in the same manner 
as the sick man. He took medicine and got over it, 
and, in a short time after, took some more, and was at- 
tacked in a similar manner. I then began to mistrust 
that there was something in the pepper vinegar, and on 
examining it, was satisfied that it had been poisoned to 
destroy the patient, in order to take advantage of me. I 
was obliged to carry them both through a course of the 
medicine, and they afterwards had no such turns. 

This patient, after about three months' close attention, 
gained so as to enjoy a comfortable state of health. The 
undertaking was very tedious on my part ; I should be 
hardly willing to go through the same process again, for 
any sum whatever. The destructive effects of salt-petre 
is the worst of any poison I ever undertook to clear the 
system of. The only method I have found successful, is 
to give No. 1 and No. 2, and throw all of it out of the 
stomach that can possibly be done; and by steaming 
keep the heat of the body above it; all other poisons can 
be eradicated by the common course of medicine. I 
was called on to attend the sick from all quarters; but 
few of them were able to purchase the information, and 
many who had it have never paid any thing. The peo- 
ple generally were well satisfied with its utility; my 
friends were very zealous in introducing it among the 
people ; but my opponents were not slack in doing every 
thing in their power to prejudice the public against me 
and the medicine. The doctors seemed much troubled 
at the success of the practice, many having been cured 
who were given over by them. One woman, who had 
been unable to walk for about nine months, after having 
been confined, and the doctors could not help her, was 
attended by Mr. Sewell, and in a short time restored to 
a comfortable state of health, which gave them great of- 
fence; and some of them published in the newspapers^ 



Of Samuel Thomson. 131 

!>art of my trial for murder, in order to prejudice the pub- 
ic against me. I prepared an answer, but they had so 
much influence with the printers, that I was unable to 
get it inserted; they had the meanness to circulate the 
report that I acknowledged the fact, because I did not 
answer their statement. Thus have the faculty, by such 
unprincipled conduct, managed to keep the people blind 
to the benefit they might receive from the use of the 
medicine, for the purpose of keeping up their own credit 
and making them tributary to themselves, without regard 
to the public good. 

This season I went to Eastport, and collected some 
money to pay my friend Rice; and thinking to make 
some profit, laid it out in fish, and sent it to Portland, 
consigned to my friend Fickett. When I went there 
myself, sold the fish to him. I afterwards made a settle- 
ment with him, and took his note for one hundred and 
sixty-three dollars, which he agreed to pay Judge Rice; 
as he was going to Boston in a short time, and he would 
call on him at Portsmouth for that purpose. I then went 
home to see my family, and in about six months after, 
returned to Portsmouth, and on calling on Judge Rice, 
found to my surprise that Mr. Fickett had not paid the 
money, that he had failed, and there was no chance for 
me to get any thing of him. So I was again disappoint- 
ed in my expectations of paying this demand, and it ap- 
peared to me that all my hard earnings would be sacri- 
ficed to pay the expense of persecutions; but my friend 
Rice was very indulgent; and instead of complaining, 
did all he could to encourage me and keep up my spirits. 

In the fall of the year 1813, I started from Portland 
to go to Eastport, and took Mr. Sewell with me, in order 
to try to get a settlement with Mr. Carpenter, as he 
knew all the particulars of the agreement between us. 
After suffering many hardships, and being at great ex- 
pense, in consequence of having to go part of the way 
by water, and part by land, owing to the war that then 
existed, we arrived there on the 12th day of November. 
On my arrival, I made inquiry concerning my affair with 
Carpenter, and ascertained what proof I could obtain to 
support an action against him for the property he had 
wronged me out of; and after making an unsuccessful 



132 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

attempt to get my account books out of his hands, 
brought an action against him for the property left in his 
possession; this being the only way in which I could 
bring him to an account. After much time and expense, 
I at last obtained a judgment against him, got out an ex- 
ecution, which was levied on the land he had unjustly 
got a deed of, and it was finally appraised to me ; and 
after having to get a writ of ejectment to get Mr. Tuttle 
out of possession of it, who claimed it under a pretended 
deed from Carpenter, to prevent it from being attached, 
I at last got the farm, which had cost in getting it more 
than it was worth; so I had to put up with the loss of all 
my earnings at Eastport for two years, with the loss of 
medicine sold by Carpenter, all of which amounted to 
not less than fifteen hundred dollars. 

I returned to Portland, where I remained to attend to 
my practice and the society that had been formed there, 
for considerable time; and after settling and arranging 
my business as well as I could, left Mr. Sewell in charge 
of all my affairs there, and in January, 1814, returned to 
Portsmouth, which place I made the principal depot of 
my medicines; having previous to my returning from 
the Eastward, made arrangements with my agents to sup- 
ply them, and all others who had purchased the rights, 
with such medicine as they might want, by their apply- 
ing to me for them. I had laid in a large stock, the 
value of which I estimated to be about one thousand 
dollars. I went to Boston and Salem to procure some 
articles that could not be obtained elsewhere, in order 
to complete my stock; when absent, the great fire took 
place at Portsmouth, and all my stock of medicine was 
consumed. This was a very serious loss to me, not only 
in a pecuniary point of view, but it disarranged all my 
plans, and put it out of my power to supply those who I 
knew depended upon me for allsuch articles as were 
most important in the practice. The season was so far 
advanced that it was impossible to obtain a new recruit 
of most of the articles; and I was obliged to collect a 
part of what had been sent to different places, in order 
to be able to supply, in the best manner I could, such 
demands for medicine, as I should be called on for. In 
doing this, I was put to great trouble and expense, and 



Of Samuel Thomson. 133 

an order to make myself whole, was under the necessity 
of raising the price of the medicine fifty per cent. ; this 
caused much grumbling and complaint from the members 
of the societies in different places, and was taken advan- 
tage of by my enemies to injure me all they could. 

I sent in the estimate of my loss, by the committee, 
who had the charge of the money contributed by the 
people in different parts, for the relief of the sufferers by 
the- fire, and afterwards called on them, with an expecta- 
tion of receiving my share; but they said my loss was of 
such a nature that they could not give me any thing, as 
I should be able to collect another supply the next sea- 
son, and I never received a cent from them. In addition 
to my loss by the fire, and other difficulties I had to en- 
counter, and while I was at Portsmouth using all my ex- 
ertions to replenish my stock of medicine, and assist 
those who were suffering from disease and needed the 
benefit of my practice, I received information from Port- 
land, that the doctors had obtained one of my books of 
direction, which was published expressly for the informa- 
tion of those who purchased the right of using my sys- 
tem of practice, and had some knowledge of it by ver- 
bal and other instruction, had printed an edition of it, 
and advertised them for sale at 37 1-2 cents a copy. 
They stated in their advertisements, that i( this invalua- 
ble work, which had heretofore been selling for twenty 
dollars, may now be had for thirty-seven and a half 
cents;" and sent them to all places where my societies 
had been formed, and my practice had been introduced, 
for the purpose of putting me down, and preventing the 
use of my medicine; but after all this pitiful attempt to 
do me the great injury which they so fondly anticipated, 
they gained nothing by it, except it was the contempt of 
all the honest part of society, who were knowing to the 
circumstances. To put a stop to these practices, and 
prevent the public from being imposed upon, I caused 
a notice to be published in the Portsmouth and Portland 
papers, cautioning the people against buying these books, 
or making use of the medicine, and trespassing on my 
patent, under the penalty of the law in such cases pro- 
vided; and also offered a reward of fifty dollars to any 
one who would give information of any doctor, who 
12 



134 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

should trespass on my patent, and ten dollars for any 
one who should be found guilty of selling the books. 
This put a stop to the sale of the books, and prevented 
them from doing me any injury by this trick; for those 
concerned in this disgraceful manoeuvre, were compelled 
to acknowledge that my agents could sell more books at 
twenty dollars, than they could at thirty-seven and a half 
cents. 

I continued in Portsmouth, after the loss I met with 
from the fire, informing the people in that place and 
vicinity, until I collected another assortment of medi- 
cine, during which time fifty members were added to 
the society there. I appointed Mr. John Locke as my 
agent in Portsmouth, and the soeiety accepted of him as 
such, to take the management of the practice, and sup- 
ply them with medicine ; I agreed to allow him twenty- 
five per cent, on the sale of rights, and in eighteen 
months he added about forty members to the society. 
He conducted himself with the greatest propriety in the 
performance of all the duties assigned him, and in this, 
as well as in all other concerns, which I had with him, 
has given me the highest satisfaction. I mention this 
tribute of praise to his fidelity, the more readily, as he is 
one of the very few whom I have put confidence in, that 
I have found honest enough to do justice to me and the 
people. It has generally been the case, with those I 
have appointed as agents, that as soon as they have been 
sufficiently instructed to attend to the practice with suc- 
cess, and give satisfaction to the people, that they have 
made it a matter of speculation; and have, by all the 
means that they could devise, attempted to get the lead 
of the practice into their own hands, and deprive me of 
the credit and profits of my own discovery; and when I 
have found out their designs, and put a stop to their 
career, by depriving them of their agency, they have 
uniformly turned against me and done every thing in 
their power to injure me and destroy the credit of the 
medicine. * This kind of conduct has been a very seri- 
ous evil, and has caused me much trouble and expense, 
besides destroying the confidence of the people in the 

* A farther notice will be taken of this agent in another place. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 135 

beneficial effects of the medicine and practice, and keep- 
ing back the information necessary for its being properly 
understood by them. This, however, has not been the 
case with all that I have entrusted with the care of my 
business as agents, for some of them have been uniform- 
ly honest and faithful, both to me and to those to whom 
they have given the information. 

While Mr. Locke was acting as my agent at Ports- 
mouth, he gave offence, by his faithful and upright con- 
duct, to some members of the society, who wanted to 
reap all the advantages and profits without any labor or 
expense. They made complaint to me of his conduct, 
and wished him turned out; but on asking them for their 
charges against him, they said he speculated on the medi- 
cine, and sold it one third higher than I did. I told 
them that I had been obliged to raise the price, in con- 
sequence of my loss by the fire, and that he was not to 
blame for it. They, however, persisted in their com- 
plaints, and after finding that th«y could not make me 
turn against him, they turned against me. After mak- 
ing further inquiries into the subject, I satisfied myself 
of their reasons for wishing Mr. Locke turned out of the 
agency. A man by the name of Holman, whom I had 
four years previous cured of a consumption, as has been 
before related, and to whom I had given the information, 
and authorized to form a society at Hopkinton, where 
he had practised three years without making me any 
returns, had returned to Portsmouth, and practised with 
Mr. Locke, as an assistant. This man formed a plan to 
have Mr. Locke turned out, in order to get his place 
himself, and had managed so as to gain over to his side 
a number of the society, who joined with him in effect- 
ing this object. They made use of all kinds of intrigue 
to get the control of the practice out of my hands, by 
offering to buy the right for. the county, and many other 
ways; but I understood their designs, and refused all 
their offers. 

At the next annual meeting of the society, Holman 
was chosen their agent without my consent, and I re- 
fused to authorize him to give information; for he had 
deceived me before, by saying, on his return to Ports- 
mouth, that he could not form a society at Hopkinton, 



136 Narrative of the Life, fyc* 

which I had found out to be false; and many other 
things in his conduct had caused me to be much dis- 
satisfied with all he did, that I declined having anything 
further to do with him. He persisted in practising, and 
in eighteen months, by his treacherous conduct, run 
down the credit of the medicine and practice, and broke 
up the society, after it had, the eighteen months previ- 
ous, got under good way by Mr. JLocke's agency, and 
was in a very prosperous condition. I had good reason 
to believe that Holman was employed by'my enemies to 
break me up in this place, and destroy the credit of the 
medicine; for when I was absent, I ascertained that he 
gave salt-petre and other poisons, under the pretence 
that by giving it the night before it would prepare the 
stomach for my medicine to be taken in the morning. 
This was like preparing over night to build a fire in the 
morning, by filling the fire-place with snow and ice. Af- 
ter preparing the stomach in this way, the medicine 
would have no beneficial effects; and he would then 
place the patient over a steam, which caused them to 
faint. In this way he proved to the members of the so- 
ciety that my mode of practice was bad, and thus used 
his influence to destroy the credit of my medicine in 
their minds, and make them believe that I had deceived 
them. His practice turned out very unsuccessful, and 
he lost many of his patients. He had lost more in six 
months, than I had Iqst in six years, which I imputed en- 
tirely to his bad conduct. 

After my return, finding how things were situated in 
regard to the practice, that all the credit I had gained 
by seven years labor, had been destroyed in eighteen 
months, led me to make a particular inquiry into the 
cause. On visiting his patients I found some of the pills 
made of salt-petre, and also some opium pills, which he 
had been in the habit of administering secretly to his 
patients under the name of my medicine ; and after col- 
lecting an assortment of his poison, I called a meeting 
of the society, and proved to them that he had made 
use of these poisons under the pretence of giving my 
medicine; and also that he had confessed to have given 
tobacco, when called on to administer my medicine; all 
of which satisfied the society ao well of the baseness of 



Of Samuel Thomson. 137 

the conduct of their agent, that they immediately passed 
a vote, dismissing him from his agency. A committee 
was appointed to investigate the whole of his conduct, 
and pub>.sh a statement of the same, in order to do away 
the false impression that had been made on the public 
mind, and convince them that the bad success of this 
man's practice, had been owing to his own wicked con- 
duct, and not to any fault in the medicine. I was never 
able, however, to get this committee to meet and attend 
to the duty assigned them by the society, although they 
confessed themselves satisfied of the truth of my charges 
against Holman, and of the injury I had sustained by his 
conduct; and after waiting six months, and finding that 
they were more willing that I should suffer, than that 
the blame should fall where it justly belonged, I left them 
to their more fashionable practice, and withdrew all my 
medicine from the place. 

In the spring of the year of 1814, I wrote to Mr. 
Mowe, my agent at Eastport, to leave that place, in con- 
sequence of the war becoming troublesome, and come 
to- Portsmouth. He came up in May. I took him with 
me and went to Surry, where we continued through the 
summer, and he assisted me in carrying on my farm, and 
collecting an assortment of medicine. In August, we 
went to Onion River, where my father resided, to make 
a visit, and collect some articles of medicine, that could 
not be obtained in Surry. After my return, Mr. Mowe 
went to Portsmouth, and I remained at home till after 
the harvesting was over, then went to Portsmouth, to 
collect medicine, and attended to some practice. Some 
time in December, I returned home, and found an ex- 
press had been there for me to go to Guildford, sent by 
Mr. Davis, whom I had attended the year .before at 
Portsmouth. I went with all speed, and found his wife 
sick with a consumption. I attended her a few days, to 
give them information, and sold him the right of using 
the medicine; and also sold some rights to others. I 
then returned to Portsmouth, and sent Mr. Mowe to 
Guildford to practise, and give information to those who 
had purchased the rights, where he remained till spring. 

During the time Mr. Mowe was at Guildford, he was 
very successful in his practice, and made some remark- 
12* 



138 Narrative of the Life, $fc, 

able cures. Great opposition was made to his practice- 
by the doctors, and all the false representations made 
about it that they could invent, to prejudice the minds 
of the people against the medicine and stop its being in- 
troduced among them. After this, another plan was got 
up to injure me; societies were formed in the manner I 
had formed mine, and members were admitted for two 
dollars. The only information given them was to furnish 
each member with one of the pamphlets, containing my 
directions, which had been stolen from a woman and 
published at Portland, without my knowledge. In this 
manner, my system of practice, in the hands and under 
the superintendence of those who were endeavoring to 
destroy me, became popular in Guilford and the towns 
adjacent; and had become so important, that a general 
invitation was given throughout the neighboring towns 
for the people to come and join them in the great im- 
provement of restoring the health of mankind. Thus 
did these professional gentlemen tamper with my rights 
and the credulity of the people, for the pitiful purpose 
of injuring me, by pretending to sell all my information 
for two dollars, for which I asked twenty; and in their 
hands called it honorable, scientific knowledge. After 
these trespasses had become open and general, and the 
people had been invited to join in it, my agent at Guild- 
ford, wrote me a letter, giving information of the trans- 
action, and I went there to .see to it. On my arrival, I 
conversed with those who had purchased their rights of 
me or my agent; they informed me of the facts as above 
related, and said that they had been solicited to join the 
society that had been formed; and they wished my ad- 
vice, whether they should attend a general meeting which 
Was to be held in about a fortnight. I told them that 
they had better attend; they then asked me if they 
should be asked for information, what they should do 
about giving it; I told them that I thought people joined 
societies to get information, and not to give it. I em- 
ployed an attorney to proceed against those who tres- 
passed, and have them punished according to law, in 
such cases provided, and returned to Portsmouth. And 
here the matter rested, as I heard of no further trespass 
in that quarter. 



Of Samuel Tlwmson. 139 

In the month of February, 1815, I had an application 
to go to Philadelphia and introduce my societies and sys- 
tem of practice in that city. Thinking it not proper to 
go alone, I made an agreement with Mr. John Locke, to 
go with me; and after we got every thing prepared, he 
started on the seventh in the morning to go in the stage, 
and I chose to go by water, and sailed the same day in 
a vessel for New York. We had a long and tedieus 
passage, suffering very much from the cold. We had a 
gale of wind which blew us off into the Gulf Stream, 
and we were two hundred miles south of our port; on 
getting into a warmer latitude the weather became 
warmer, when we were enabled to get clear of the ice, 
with which the vessel w T as much burdened, and could 
set some sail ; and we arrived at New York after a very 
rough passage of seventeen days. 

During the passage, one of the crew had frozen his 
hands and feet very badly, and when we had got where 
the weather became warmer, he was in the most extreme 
pain. He said that it seemed as though the bones of 
his hands and feet were coming in pieces; his suffering 
was so great that the tears would run from his eyes, and 
the sweat down his cheeks with the pain. I was re- 
quested by the captain and crew to do something to re- 
lieve him. I agreed to do the best I could for him, in 
the cold and comfortless situation we were in. There 
was no place to keep a fire under decks, and the weather 
was so rough that we could seldom keep any in the 
camboose on deck. I was obliged to administer the medi- 
cine according to my judgment in the best manner I 
could. In the first place I procured handkerchiefs and 
cloths enough to wrap his hands and feet up in several 
thicknesses, then wet them well with cold water, and 
wrapped his hands and feet as well as I could, wetting 
them with cold water, and put him in his birth, covered 
well with blankets, and gave him the warmest medicine 
to take I had with me, and repeated it to keep the in- 
ward heat sufficient to cause a free circulation in the 
limbs; and if his hands and feet grew painful, poured 
cold water on the cloths; and continued this course of 
treatment, of keeping the inward heat above the out- 
ward, by raising the one and letting down the other, till 



140 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

I got the fountain above the stream; and in about two 
hours, freed him from all pain, to the surprise and aston- 
ishment of all the hands on board. When I come to 
take off the cloths, the blood had settled under the nails 
and under the skin, which came off without any blister 
being raised, and before we arrived at New York, he 
was able to attend his watch. 

It was said by the captain and crew that this was the 
most remarkable cure they had ever known; and that 
if he had been attended in the common form, he would 
have lost his toes if not his feet, besides suffering much 
pain and a long confinement. It will be necessary t® 
remark, that the greatness of this cure consisted in its 
simplicity; any person could have performed the same, 
who had come to years of discretion, by adopting the 
same plan, and many times be the means of saving the 
amputation of limbs. There is no mystery in it, the 
whole plan consists in keeping the determining power 
to the surface, from the fountain of the body, which is 
the stomach; from which all the limbs receive their sup- 
port and warmth, and when you cannot raise the fountain 
sufficient to give nature its proper course, you must lower 
the stream, or outward heat, by keeping the heat down 
on the limbs, and raising the inward heat, when there 
can no mortification ever return from the limbs to the 
body, any more than a log can float against a stream. 

In the case above stated, before I began to do any 
thing for the man, I duly considered his situation; he 
had been almost chilled to death hj the extreme cold 
weather, so that his limbs had very little warmth from 
the body, not enough to bring them to their feeling ; until 
the warm weather raised a fever on the limbs faster than 
in the body, and in proportion as the heat in the extremi- 
ties is raised above that in the body, by applying hot 
poultices or other similar applications, so much will the 
whole system be disordered, and the parts that have been 
injured will be extremely painful, and by a continued 
application of such means, the fever or outward heat will 
increase by the current being turned inward, till mortifi- 
cation takes place, when the limbs have to be taken off 
to save life; and in most cases the body has become so 
much disordered, that they die after all. This may, I 



Of Samuel Thomson, 141 

am confident, be avoided by understanding my plan of 
treatment and pursuing it with zeal, particularly in all 
cases of burns or freezing. 

On my arrival at New ifork, I found Mr. Locke, who 
had come in the stage, and had been waiting for me ten 
days. The next morning we started in the f stage for 
Philadelphia, where we arrived that evening, and went 
to a boarding house and put up for the night. In the 
morning we went in search of Elder Plumer, with 
whom I had engaged the fall before, to go to Philadel- 
phia ; we found him in the course of the forenoon, and 
he expressed much joy at our arrival. Pie preached a 
lecture that evening, and appointed a meeting at the 
same place the next evening for me; at which I attend- 
ed and gave a lecture; there was a large collection of 
people attended this meeting, and I gave a full and ex- 
plicit explanation of the principles upon which my sys- 
tem is founded. There were two medical students 
present, and while I was endeavouring to give a view of 
the formation of the animal creation out of the four ele- 
ments; that heat was life, and cold death; and that the 
blood was necessary to life, as being the nourishment of 
the flesh, and inasmuch as it was taken away, so much 
was life and health diminished, one of them interrupted 
me and said, that cold was a promotion of life, and that 
bleeding was beneficial to preserve life also. I answer- 
ed him by stating, that admitting his doctrine to be true, 
an animal that had the blood taken from it and was fro- 
zen, would be the liveliest creature in the world. This 
unexpected retort caused a laugh, and the two medical 
gentlemen left the room. I then went on and concluded 
the explanations I wished to make, which gave general 
satisfaction to the people present; and sixteen signed 
the articles of agreement that night, to obtain the 
knowledge of the medicine and practice, to whom I 
engaged to give information by lectures. We remained 
there about a week, in which time about twenty bought 
the right. 

When we had completed our business at Philadelphia, 
we went on to Washington, where we remained several 
days, and had a view of the ruins of the public build- 
ings, which had been distroyed by the British, when 



142 Narrative of the Life, fyc, 

they took possession of that city, about six months pre- 
vious to our being there. While at the capitol, I had an 
interview with General Varnum, and some conversation 
passed between us concerning the pipsisway, which had 
been found useful in a case of cancer for which I at- 
tended his wife when practising at Pelham, in the year 
1807. He said that it having been found so useful in all 
cancerous cases, he thought it ought to be published in 
the newspapers or almanac, for the benefit of those who 
were afflicted with this dangerous disease, and express- 
ed a wish that I would do it. I told him that I thought 
it would be better for him to publish it than for me, and 
he consented; and the next year he published it in the 
almanac, which was the cause of much speculation in 
this article, and of which I shall give some account in 
another part of this work. 

After staying in Washington a few days, we went to 
Alexandria where we remained about a week, in which 
time I collected some Cyprus bark, which is known there 
by the name of poplar, and what we call poplar, is by 
them called quaking-asp, on account of the constant 
shaking of its leaves. While at this place I fell in com- 
pany with Capt. Davis, of Portsmouth, and agreed to take 
passage with him and return to that place. Arrange- 
ments were made for Mr. Locke to return by land; and I 
directed him to stop at Washington and get a oopy of my 
patent, then to go on to Philadelphia and remain there 
as long as it should be necessary to give information to 
those who purchased the rights, or any that should wish 
to purchase them in that city, and after paying proper 
attention to them, to return to Portsmouth. I then 
went on board the vessel and we set sail; and, after a 
long passage, arrived safe at Portsmouth about the same 
time that Mr. Locke got there. 

During this summer, I visited Eastport, Portland, 
Charlestown, South Reading and other places where so- 
cieties had been formed, or rights sold to individuals, to 
give information to the people ; and in all places where 
I went, found the book of directions, which had been 
clandestinely obtained and published by the doctors and 
others, to injure me by stopping the sale of rights, sell- 
ing at 371-2 cents, I was under the necessity of putting 



Of Samuel llwmson. 143 

an advertisement in the papers, cautioning the people 
against this imposition, which put a stop to their sale; 
but great pains were taken by my enemies to circulate 
them among the people; and this is the way that some 
of my articles of medicine came to be made use of 
through the country in colds, such as cayenne, ginger, 
&c. In 1815 I published another edition of my book 
of directions, and secured the copy right; but this was 
reprinted at Taunton, and I advertised it as before, and 
stopped its progress. 

In the fall of the year 1815, I went to Cape Cod to 
procure some marshrosemary, and collected a quantity, 
carried it to Portsmouth and prepared it for use. This 
is the last time I have collected any of this article, and 
as it becomes scarce, think I shall make no more use 
of it. It is too cold and binding, without using a large 
share of bayberry bark and cayenne with it, to keep the 
saliva free. I have found other articles as substitutes, 
which answer a better purpose, such as hemlock bark, 
which I have of late made use of and found very good, 
white lily roots, witch-hazle and raspberry leaves, and 
sumach berries; the last article is very good alone, 
steeped and sweetened, and is as pleasant as wine; it is 
good for children in cases of canker, especially in long 
cases of sickness when other articles become disagreea- 
ble to them. 

In the spring of the year 1816, I went again to Cape 
Cod for medicine, and found that the spotted fever, or 
what was called the cold'plague, prevailed there, and the 
people were much alarmed, as they could get no help 
from the doctors. I told them I had come after medi- 
cine where they were dying for want of the knowledge 
how to use it. They were desirous for me to try my 
practice and satisfy them of its utility. A young man 
in the next house to where I was, being attacked with the 
fever the day before, went to see him, and the family 
expressed a wish to have me try my medicine. I put a 
blanket round him and put him by the fire ; took a tea 
spoonful of composition, and added more No. 2 and as 
much sugar, put it in a tea cup, and poured to it a wine 
glass of hot water, when cool enough to take, added a 
tea spoonful of the rheumatic drops; he took it and in 



144 *Yarratice of the Life, S'c. 

fifteen minutes was in a free perspiration; he was then 
put in bed and a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths put 
to his feet to raise a steam. I then left him in the care 
of his friends, with some medicine to be given during 
the night; they kept the perspiration free all night, and 
in the morning heat had gained the victory, the canker 
was destroyed, and he was comfortable and soon got 
well. 

I attended three other persons in one house, who had 
been sick a longer time, and had taken other medicine, 
so that it was more difficult to cure them. I steeped No. 
3, and poured off half a tea cupful and sweetened it, and 
added half a tea spoonful of No. 2, when cool enough 
to take, put in one tea spoonful of No. 1, and gave it to 
each of the patients, repeating it once in fifteen minutes, 
till they had taken it three times, whether they puked or 
not in that time, kept a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths 
at their feet to keep up a steam; while they were under 
the operation of the puking and sweating, gave them as 
much cider or water to drink as they required; when 
they had done vomiting, gave milk porridge freely. As 
soon as they had done sweating, and their strength had 
returned, got them up and steamed them as long as they 
could bear it; then rubbed them over with spirits, water 
or vinegar, changed their clothes, and they went to bed, 
or sat up as their strength would permit. I will here 
remark for the information of the reader, that when the 
patient is so bad as not to be able to get up, they must be 
steamed in bed as hot as they can bear it, then set them 
up on end, rub them as before mentioned, and change their 
clothes and bed clothes. This last direction is important 
to-be attended to, for if their own clothes are changed 
without changing the bed clothes, they will absorb a part 
of the filth that has been discharged through the pores, 
and add to what remains of the disorder. This precau- 
tion is all important in every case of disease, and should 
be paid particular attention to, in order to guard against 
taking back any part of what has been thrown off by 
the operation of the medicine. The nurse or those who 
attend upon the sick, are also in danger from the same 
cause, and should be particularly careful to guard against 
taking the disorder by breathing in the foul vapor from 



Of Samuel TJwmson. 145 

the bed clothes, and standing over the patient when un- 
der the operation of the medicine, the principal effect of 
which is to throw off by perspiration and other evacua- 
tions, the putrefaction that disease has engendered in 
the body. To guard against this, take some hot bitters, 
and keep a piece of ginger root in the mouth, occasion- 
ally swallowing some of it, when most exposed; also take 
a tea spoonful of Nos. 2 and 3, steeped in hot water, 
when going to bed; one ounce of prevention in this way, 
is worth a pound of cure when sick- 
After relieving these four cases, I was sent for to at- 
tend a woman, who had been sick for a long time; I 
declined attending any more unless they would buy the 
right. This displeased her so much, because 1 was not 
willing to practise and cure all of them for nothing, that 
she abused me for my declining to attend her. Two 
men bought the rights, and they asked me how much I 
would take for the right of the whole town. I offered 
it to them for the price of twenty rights; but they said 
that the sickness had so much abated that the alarm was 
nearly over, and declined my offer. This disease first 
appeared in Easthamthe fore part of February, in which 
month twenty-seven died, in March, fourteen, and five in 
April, making in the whole, forty-six in three months in 
this small place. I left some medicine with those who 
had purchased the rights, and returned to Boston. 

Within a week after my return from Cape Cod, I re- 
ceived a letter from Eastham, to come there as soon as 
possible. I took a stock of medicine, and went on there 
as quick as I could; and on my arrival, found that the 
fever had again made its appearance among the people, 
with double fatality. I soon found enough ready to 
purchase the twenty rights, for which I had offered to sell 
the right of the whole town. I attended on many of 
those who had the disease, in company with the two men 
who had purchased the right of me when there before, 
and instructed them how to carry the patients through a 
course of the medicine; and they attended and gave in- 
formation to others; when they could meet together, I 
gave information by lectures; those who got the infor- 
mation attended wherever they were wanted. I pursued 
my usual mode of treatment, by administering the medi- 
13 



146 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

cine to promote a free perspiration, and when necessary, 
steamed and gave injections, cleansed the stomach, and 
cleared off the canker; the success in curing this alarm- 
ing disease was very great. I staid about two weeks, 
during which time there were attended with my medi- 
cine, thirty-four cases, of whom only one died, the rest 
got well. At the same time, of those who were attend- 
ed by the regular doctors, eleven out of twelve died, mak- 
ing in the whole upwards of fifty deaths in a short time in 
this place, which was about one twelfth part of the in- 
habitants that were at home. The truth of the above 
statements is authenticated by the certificates of the 
Selectmen of the town, and other respectable inhabitants, 
w r hich will be inserted in another part of the work. 

During my stay this time, I attended the husband of 
the woman who had abused me when here before, at the 
house of his sister; she came there while I was attend- 
ing upon her husband, and treated me and him in a 
most abusive manner, saying that she would die sooner 
than take any of my medicine, or have any thing to do 
w r ith me. After she had vented her spite to her own 
satisfaction, she went home, was taken sick on the way, 
and was one of the last who died with the fever at this 
time. The people generally, treated me with kindness 
and respect, and took great interest in my cause; and 
the success of my system of practice, in relieving them 
from this alarming disease, gave universal satisfaction. 

I formed thos-e who purchased the rights, into a socie- 
ty; and they chose a committee, whom I authorized as 
agents to sell rights and medicine; but this caused a 
jealousy among the rest of the members, who said I gave 
privileges to some more than to others. 

I have formed four societies, and given them certain 
privileges, by allowing them part of the profits on the 
sale of rights and medicine; but as soon as there was 
any funds, it has always created uneasiness among the 
members. Some of the ignorant and selfish, would call 
for their dividends, as though it was bank stock, instead 
of feeling grateful for the advantages they enjoy by hav- 
ing their diseases cured, and their minds relieved from 
the alarming consequences of a disease, with a trifling 



Of Samuel Thomson. 147 

expense. I have since altered my plan, and now have 
but one society. Every one who purchases a right for 
himself and family, becomes a member of the Friendly 
Botanic Society, and is entitled to all the privileges of a 
free intercourse with each other, and to converse with 
any one who has bought a right, for instruction and as- 
sistance in sickness, as each one is bound to give his 
assistance, by advice or otherwise, when called on by a 
member. In this way much more good can be done, 
and there will be much more good-will towards each 
other, than where there is any money depending. 

I had now been in practice, constantly attending upon 
those laboring under disease, whenever called on, for 
about thirty years; had suffered much both in body and 
mind, from the persecutions I had met with, and my un- 
wearied exertions to relieve the sick; and to establish 
my system of practice upon a permanent basis, that the 
people might become satisfied of its superiority over that 
which is practised by those styled regular physicians; 
putting it in their power to become their own physicians, 
by enabling every one to relieve themselves and friends, 
from all disease incident to our country, by making use 
of those vegetable medicines, the produce of our own 
country, which are perfectly safe and easily obtained; 
and which, if properly understood, are fully sufficient in 
all cases of disease, where there can be any chance of 
cure, without any danger of the pernicious, and often 
fatal consequences attending the administering those 
poisons that the fashionable doctors are in the habit of 
giving to their patients. 

After having discovered a system, and by much labor 
and constant perseverance reduced it to practice, in a 
manner that had given general satisfaction to all who 
had become acquainted with it, and having secured the 
same by patent, in order that I might reap some benefit 
from my discovery, to support me in my old age, having 
by a long series of attendance on the sick, both as phy- 
sician and nurse, become almost worn out, I came to the 
determination to appoint some suitable person, who would 
do justice to me and the cause, as a general agent, to 
take the lead ia practice, and give the necessary infor- 
mation to those who should purchase the rights, which 



148 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

would enable me to retire from practice and receive a 
share of the profits as a reward for my long sufferings. 
After considerable inquiry, I became acquainted with 
Elias Smith, who was recommended as a man in whom 
I could confide, and who was every way qualified as 
a suitable person to engage in the undertaking. I 
found him in Boston, and in very poor circumstances; 
having been for many years a public preacher, but in 
consequence of his often changing his religious princi- 
ples and engaging in different projects in which he had 
been unsuccessml, he was now without a society or any 
visible means of supporting himself and family. He 
readily engaged with me, and promised to do every thing 
in his power, to promote my interest and extend the use- 
fulness of my system of practice. 

I sold hirn a family right in December, 1816, and was 
in his family during the winter, for the purpose of in- 
structing him in the practice, to qualify him to attend 
upon the sick, and give information to others. I put the 
utmost confidence in his honor, and spared no pains in 
communicating to him, without any reserve whatever, all 
the knowledge I had gained by my experience, both by 
practice and verbal instruction; under the expectation, 
that when he became sufficiently acquainted with the 
system and practice, I should be rewarded for my trou- 
ble, by his faithfully performing his duty towards me, 
according to his promise. I shall make no remark upon 
my being disappointed in all my expectations in regard 
to Mr. Smith's conduct, and the treatment I received 
from him after he had gained a knowledge of the prac- 
tice from me, to enable him to set up for himself; but 
shall proceed to give a short account of what took place 
during my connection with him. 

The first case I attended with him was in his own 
family. His son had the itch very badly, so that he was 
nearly one half of him one raw sore. They had tried 
the usual remedies without any benefit. I snowed him 
the use of No. 3, to wash with, to stop the smart of the 
sores; then took some rheumatic drops and added about 
one fourth part of spirits of turpentine and washed him 
with it; this is very painful when applied where the skin 
is off; to prevent which mix with it some of the wash 



Of Samuel Tlwmson. 149 

made of No. 3; at the same time of applying the above, 
give some of the composition, especially when going to 
bed; and occasionally give about fifteen of the drops, 
shaken together, on loaf sugar. By pursuing this treat- 
ment one week this boy wa3 entirely cured. 

The next case, which was the first we attended to- 
gether out of his house, was a young woman, who had 
the ague in her face. I showed him the whole pro- 
cess of curing this complaint; which was done by put- 
ting a small quantity of No. 2 in a cloth, and placing it 
between her cheek and teeth; at the same time giving 
her some of Nos. 2 and 3 to take, and in two hours she 
was cured. 

I was constantly with him in practice from February 
till June; during which time we attended many bad 
cases with great success. A Mrs. Grover came to his 
house to be attended, who had the dropsy. She had 
been given over by her doctor as incurable, and was so 
much swelled as to be blind, and her body and limbs in 
proportion. Mr. Smith undertook her case under my 
direction, and carried her through a course of the medi- 
cine every day for nine days, and then occasionally once 
or twice a week till she was cured. She was thus at- 
tended under my inspection for three weeks, and in 
four was entirely cured; for which she gave Mr. Smith 
about forty dollars. In this case I did a great part of 
the labor and he got the pay. About the third time 
of carrying her through a course of the medicine, I was 
absent; her symptoms appeared unfavorable, and he 
got frightened; a nurse woman, to whom I had given 
information, and who had more experience than he had, 
came to his assistance, and by using injections relieved 
her, and prevented mortification. The circumstance 
of this woman proving that she was forward of him in 
information, seemed to fix in Mr. Smith's mind a dis- 
like to her ever after, as his subsequent treatment of her 
will show; the particulars of which will be hereafter re- 
lated. 

Another case was of a man who came to his house, 
who was in a declining way, and had taken a great quan- 
tity of physic before he came, which would not operate. 
On taking my medicine^ as soon as he began to be warrn^ 
13* 



150 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

so as to cause motion in his bowels, the physic he had 
before taken operated, and run him down with a relax; 
then the dysentery set in, and he suffered much with 
pain, and had discharges of blood. I gave Mr. Smith 
directions to use injections, to clear his bowels of canker, 
and prevent mortification; but he neglected it until I 
had told him three days in succession. He then got 
alarmed and sent for me; but before I arrived he had 
given an injection, which had relieved the patient. He 
remained and was attended about three weeks, and went 
home in a comfortable state of health. This man paid 
Mr. Smith about, thirty dollars. 

About the same time, a man by the name of Jennings 
applied to Mr. Smith, who had lost the use of one of his 
arms by the rheumatism. He had been attended by the 
doctor for nine months, and had been given over by him 
as incurable. .His arm was perished, and he was in poor 
circumstances, having paid all he had to the doctor; he 
wanted relief, but said he could pay nothing for it unless 
he was cured, so that he could earn something by his 
labor. Mr. Smith asked me if I was willing to assist to 
cure him on these terms, to which I agreed. We car- 
ried him through a course of the medicine and steaming 
twice or three times a week for four weeks, when a cure 
was effected. The last time he was carried through 
was on election day, and he expressed a wish to go on 
the common in the afternoon, to which I gave encour- 
agement. The medicine was done about ten o'clock; 
he was then steamed and washed all over with pepper- 
sauce. He complained bitterly of the heat and threw 
himself on the bed; I took a spoonful of good cayenne, 
and put in two spoonfuls of pepper-sauce, and gave it to 
him to take. This raised the inward heat so much above 
the outward, that in two minutes he was quite comforta- 
ble; and in the afternoon he went on the common. His 
arm was restored, and he was well from that time; he 
afterwards, as I have been informed, paid Mr. Smith 
forty dollars for the cure. 

A Mrs. Burleigh came to his house about this time, 
who had the rheumatism very badly, so that her joints 
were grown out of place; and I assisted in attendirg 
her, She had never taken much medicine, which made 



Of Samuel TJwmson. 151 

it the easier to cure her, as we had nothing to do but 
remove the disease, without having to clear the system 
of poisonous drugs, as is the case in most of those who 
apply for relief in complaints of long standing. She 
was carried through the medicine several times and 
steamed; the last time I attended her, and gave the 
medicine three times as usual, which raised a lively per- 
spiration and a fresh color, showing an equal and natu- 
ral circulation; but did not sicken or cause her to vomit, 
as is the case most generally. I mention this to show 
that the emetic qualities of the medicine will not operate 
where there is no disease. She was then steamed and 
washed, and went out of doors, being entirely cured of 
her complaint. 

Some time the last of April, or first of May, a woman 
that was a relation of the nurse, who assisted Mr. Smith, 
and of whom I have before spoken, hired a room of him 
and moved into his house, and the nurse lived with her. 
She had more experience than he had; I had put the 
utmost confidence in her, and she had in many instances 
proved her superiority in a knowledge of the practice 
over him. A singular circumstance took place, the par- 
ticulars of which I shall relate, and leave the reader to 
make his own inferences. Some time in May, while I 
boarded with. Mr Smith, I lost my pocket-book, which 
contained upwards of thirty dollars in bank bills, and 
notes to the amount of about five hundred dollars. I 
made strict search for it, and advertised it in the papers, 
but have never gained any information of it or the con- 
tents to this day. It was in my coat pocket, and I could 
think of no way in which I had been exposed, or could 
lose it, except in his house. I lost it between Friday 
night and Monday morning, during which time I attend- 
ed a woman in his chamber, and several times had my 
coat off, which appeared to me to be the only time that 
it could be taken, or that I could lose it. The only 
persons present in the room, were Mr. Smith and his 
wife, and the nurse; I had no suspicions of any person 
at the time. About ten days after, being alone with Mr. 
Smith, he asked me if I ever mistrusted the nurse being 
dishonest. I told him no, for if I had I should not have 
introduced her as a nurse. He then said that there had 



lo2 Narrative of the Life, &>c. 

been a number of thefts committed since she had been in 
the house, both from him and other people, and named 
the articles and circumstances. He further said, that 
the girl who lived with him had said that she thought 
the nurse was as likely to take my pocket-book as to 
take the things she had undoubtedly stolen. The cir- 
cumstances which he related, and the interest he seemed 
to take in my lose? convinced me beyond a doubt that 
this woman had taken my property. During this con- 
versation with him, he said that if she did not move out 
of the house he would. The consequence was that the 
family moved out of his house, and I dismissed the nurse 
from having any more to do with my practice. Since 
Mr. Smith has taken to himself the lead in my system 
of practice, he has acknowledged that he has become 
convinced beyond a doubt that this woman was not guil- 
ty of taking the things which she had been accused of; 
without assigning any reason, as I have been able to 
learn, for his having altered his opinion.* 

During the time the above circumstances happened, 
his son Ira came home, after being absent about four 
years; but was not treated with that affection a child ex- 
pects to receive in a father's house, he was sent off to 
seek lodgings where he could. About twelve o'clock he 
returned, not being able to obtain lodgings, and called 
up a young man who boarded with Mr. Smith, made a 
bitter complaint, *n account of the treatment he received 
from his father, which he attributed to be owing to the 
influence of his mother-in-law; he took a phial and drank 
from it, and soon after fell on the floor. The young 
man being alarmed, awaked his father and informed him 
of the circumstance; before he got to his son he was 
senseless, and stiff in every joint. I was in bed in the 
house, and Mr. Smith came immediately to me, and re- 
quested mv assistance, said that he expected Ira had 
killed himself. He showed me the phial and asked what 
had been in it; I told him it had contained laudanum. 
I got up as soon as possible, and on going down, met 
Mr. Smith and the young man bringing Ira up stairs. I 
directed them to lay him on the hearth, and took a bottle 
from my pocket, which contained a strong preparation 
of Nos. 1,2, and 6; took his head between my knees, 



Of Samuel Thomson. 153 

his jaws being set, and put my finger between his cheek 
and teeth, and poured in some of the medicine from the 
bottle; as soon as it reached the glands of his throat, 
his jaws became loosened, and he swallowed some of it; 
in five minutes he vomited; in ten he spoke; in one 
hour he was clear of the effects of the opium, and the 
next day was well. After this the affection of the father 
seemed in some measure to return; he clothed him, 
took him to Taunton, and introduced him into practice 
as an assistant. He did verj well till his mother-in-law 
arrived there, when a difficulty took place between them, 
and he went off. His father advertised him, forbidding- 
all persons from trusting him on his account. He was 
absent four years, when he returned again to his father's 
house, and was received in the same cold and unfeeling 
manner as before, was not allowed to stay in the *house, 
but was obliged to seek an asylum among strangers. He- 
staid in town several days, became dejected, in conse- 
quence, as he said, of the treatment he had met with at 
his father's house, went over to Charlestown, took a 
quantity of laudanum, and was found near the monu- 
ment senseless; was carried to the alms-house, where 
he died. 

The morning after he died, his father came to see 
the corpse, and, as I was informed by a person who 
heard it, said that if he had been present one hour be-' 
fore he died he could have saved his life; for, said he, 
u . I once administered medicine to him and saved his 
life when he had taken a similar dose," and, putting his 
hand on his pocket, said, "I always carry medicine in 
my pocket for that purpose." He neither took him 
home, nor put in the paper the cause of his death. The 
notice in the paper was, "Died suddenly, in Charles- 
town, Ira Smith, son of Elias Smith, Boston." 

After Ira went away the last time, I frequently heard 
Mrs. Smith say that if she could only hear that Ira was 
dead, she should be satisfied. The seascwi before he re- 
turned, an account of his death appeared in the Palla- 
dium of Boston, stating that Ira Smith died in Upper 
Canada. How this account originated is yet unknown, 
as Ira said he had never been there. However, his 
father seemed to make great lamentation at this unfor- 



154 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

tunate news, and mentioned it in one of his sermons in 
Clark Street. In the spring following I saw Ira in New 
York, and informed Mr. Smith's family that I had seen 
him, but he did not proclaim it in the meeting as he did 
the news of his death. Neither did he exclaim, in the 
words of an ancient father of a prodigal, "My son who 
was dead, is alive, and who was lost, is found." 

In June following Ira came to me, instead of going to 
his father's house. I found him lodging two nights, 
and then got him into business in Col. House's printing 
office, where he worked some days before he went to his 
father's house. When calling there to see his brothers 
and sisters, he said something took place between him 
and his step-mother, which so disgusted him that he 
threatened before the workmen in the office to destroy 
his own life. They laughed at his pretensions, but he 
insisted on doing the deed, which he did in a few days 
after, and thus ended this disgraceful tragedy. 

I continued with Mr. Smith, as has been before men- 
tioned, giving him instruction, till the first of June, when 
I appointed him agent, with authority to sell family 
rights and medicine. An agreement was drawn up and 
signed by both parties, in which it was stipulated, that 
I was to furnish him with medicine, and allow him twen- 
ty-five per cent, for selling; and he was to have fifty per 
cent, for all the rights he sold; which was ten dollars for 
each right, for giving the necessary information to those 
who purchased, and collecting the pay. His principal 
dependence at this time was upon me and the practice, 
for his support. He paid me one half of what he re- 
ceived for family rights as he sold them. ' The first of 
July, I contemplated going home to get my hay; but 
Mrs. Smith expecting to be confined soon, was very 
urgent that I should stay till after she was sick, which 
detained me three weeks. I staid accordingly, and at- 
tended her through her sickness, for which they gave 
me great credit and praise at the time. I then went 
home to attend to my farm and get my hay; after which 
I returned to Boston, and in the fall went to Cape Cod, 
to attend to some business there, and on my return to 
Boston, I found Mr. Smith's youngest child sick with 
the quinsy, or rattles; he had done all he could, and 



Of Samuel Thomson. 155 

given it over to die. The women had taken charge of 
the child, after he had given it up, and had given it some 
physic. When I saw the child I gave some encourage- 
ment of a cure, and they were very desirous for me to do 
something for it. I told them they had done very wrong 
in giving physic, for it was strictly against my orders to 
ever give any physic, in cases where there was canker. 
They observed that there was no appearance of canker. 
I told them it would never appear when they gave physic, 
for k would remain inside, till mortification decided the 
contest. 

I began with the child by giving No. 2, which caused 
violent struggles and aroused it from the stupid state in 
which it had lain, until the moisture appeared in the 
mouth; then gave some No. 3, steeped, and Nos. 1 and 
2, to start the canker, and cause it to vomit. This soon 
gave relief. The women who were present, accused me 
of the greatest cruelty, because I brought the child out 
of its stupid state, and restored its sense of feeling, by 
which means the life of the child was saved. The next 
morning its mouth was as white as paper with canker; 
they were then all satisfied that I knew the child's situa- 
tion best, and that I had saved its life. I considered 
the child so much relieved, that the father and mother 
would be able to restore it to perfect health, left it in 
their care and went out of town. I returned the next 
day about noon, and found that they had again given it 
up to die; its throat was so filled with canker that it had 
not swallowed any thing for four hours. I was in sus- 
pense whether to do any thing for the child or not ; but 
told the father and mother I thought if it was mine, I 
would not give it up yet; they wished me to try. I 
took some small quills from a wing, and stripped them, 
except about three quarters of an inch at the point, tied 
several of them together, which made a swab, dipped it 
in canker tea, and began by gashing the mouth; then 
rinsing it with cold water; then washed with the tea 
again, putting the swab down lower in the throat which 
caused it to gag, and while the throat was open, put it 
down below the swallow, and took off scales of canker, 
then rinsed again with cold water. Soon as it could 
swallow, gave some tea of No. 2, a tea spoonful at a 



156 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

time, and it soon began to struggle for breath, and ap- 
peared to be in great distress, similar to a drowned per- 
son coming to life. In its struggling for breath discharg- 
ed considerable phlegm from its nose and mouth; I then 
gave some more of the emetic with canker tea, which 
operated favorably; in two hours it was able to nurse, 
and it soon got well, to the great joy of the father and 
mother, who said that the life of the child was saved By 
my perseverance. 

Soon after this child got well, which was in the fall of 
the year 1817, Mr. Smith moved to Taunton. Previous 
to his removal, a man from that place -by the name of 
Eddy, applied to him to be cured of a bad humor, 
caused by taking mercury. I assisted in attending upon 
him part of the time. Mr. Smith began with him, and 
on the turn of the disorder, the man and he got fright- 
ened and sent for me. He had been kept as hot as he 
could bear, with the medicine, for six hours, which in- 
creased the heat of the body sufficient to overpower the 
cold, the heat turned inward and drove the cold on the 
outside ; this produces such a sudden change in the whole 
system, that a person unacquainted with the practice 
would suppose they were dying; but there is no danger 
to be apprehended, if proper measures are taken and 
persevered in by keeping up the inward heat. In such 
cases steaming is almost indispensable; for which reason 
I have been obliged to steam the patient in most cases 
where the complaint has been of long standing, especial- 
ly when /.,uch mercury has been taken, as nothing will 
make it active but heat* This man soon got well and 
returned home. 

I furnished Mr. Smith with a stock of medicine, and 
in the winter paid him a visit, found him in full practice, 
and Mr. Eddy assisting him. I carried with me a quan- 
tity of medicine, renewed his stock, and stored the re- 
mainder with him. He had sold several rights, and was 
very successful in his practice, which caused great alarm 
among the doctors; they circulated all kinds of false 
and ridiculous reports about his practice, to break him 
up; but not succeeding, they raised a mob, and twice 
broke open Mr. Smith's house, in his absence, and fright- 
ened his family. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 157 

In the spring of this year, Mr. Smith moved to Scituate, 
to preach there and attend to practice; and the medi- 
cine left with him, I consigned to Mr. Eddy, by his re- 
commendation. The amount of the medicine was about 
one hundred dollars, and 1 sent him a note for twenty 
dollars, which he collected, and afterwards went off, and 
I lost the whole amount. During this season I went to 
Plymouth to visit some there who had bought family 
rights, and returned by the way of Scituate, in order to 
visit Mr. Smith, look over his books, and have some set- 
tlement with him. I had let him have medicine as he 
wanted it, trusting him to give me credit for what he 
sold or used. I think he had given me credit, so that 
the balance due me at this time, for what he had, was 
four hundred dollars. He was unable to pay me any 
thing, and I returned to Boston. 

Mr. Smith afterwards removed his family to Boston, 
and in the fall of the year 1818, he said that he was not 
able to pay me any money, but he would let me have 
such things as he could spare. I was disposed to be as 
favorable towards him as I could, and took what he 
chose to offer at his own price. He let me have two old 
watches at one hundred doll-ars; and an old mare at 
eighty, which was for medicine at cash prices. I gave 
him all the chance of selling rights and medicine, in 
hopes that he would be able to do better by me. I often 
had requested him to deliver lectures on my system of 
practice, as this had been a favorite object with me in 
appointing him agent; but never could prevail with him 
to do any thing in that way. Another important ar- 
rangement I had made with him was, that he was to 
assist me in preparing for the press, a work to contain a 
narrative of my life, and a complete description of my 
whole system. I had written it in the best manner I 
could, and depended on him to copy it off and prepare it 
in a correct manner to be printed; but he put me off 
from time to time, and was never ready to attend to it. 
All this time I never had any suspicion of his having a 
design to wrong me, by usurping the whole lead of the 
business, and turning every thing to his own advantage. 

I continued to keep medicine at his house, which he 
had free access to, and took it when he pleased, giving 
14 



158 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

me credit for it according to his honesty. There was 
two or three thousand dollars worth at a time, in the 
house. He charged me three dollars per week for board, 
for all the time I was at his house, after he returned 
from the country; and he had given me credit for only 
eighty dollars for medicine the year past. On a settle- 
ment with him at this time, 1819, he owed me about 
four hundred dollars; I asked him for a due bill for the 
balance, but he refused to give one; and said that Mr. 
Eddy had received two hundred dollars worth of the 
medicine, for which he had received nothing, and he 
ought not to pay for it. I agreed to lose one half of it, 
and allowed one hundred dollars, the same as if I had 
received cash of him. I took a memorandum from his 
book of what was due me, which was all I had for securi- 
ty. In the fall of the year 1820, I had another settle- 
ment with Mr. Smith, and he owed me about four hun- 
dred dollars, having received no money of him the year 
past. He told me that all the property he had was a 
horse and chaise, and that if I did not have it, some- 
body else would. I took the horse and chaise at three 
hundred dollars, and the hundred dollars I agreed to 
allow on Mr. Eddy's account, made us, according to his 
accounts, about square, as to the medicine he had given 
me credit for. He made out a statement of fifty-seven 
family rights that he had sold at twenty dollars each, 
twenty-three of which he had never paid me any thing 
for; his plea for not paying me for them was, that he had 
not received his pay of those who had bought them. His 
agreement with me was, that he should account to me 
for ten dollars, for each right sold, and he was to have 
ten dollars each for collecting the money and giving the 
necessary information to the purchasers. 

In the winter of 1819, I went to Philadelphia, and 
previous to my going made arrangements with Mr. Smith 
to publish a new edition of my book of directions; we 
revised the former edition, and made such additions as 
we thought would be necessary to give a complete and 
full description of my system, and the manner of pre- 
paring and using the medicine ; and I directed him to 
secure the copy-right according to law. I left the whole 
care with him, to arrange the matter, and have it print- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 159 

ed. On my return to Boston in March, he had got it 
done; but in a manner very unsatisfactory to me, for 
he had left out twelve pages of the most useful part of 
the remarks and directions, and it was otherwise very 
incorrectly and badly printed. I asked him the reason 
of this, and he said a part of the copy had got mislaid, 
and the printer had not done his work well. I had no 
idea at the time, that he had any design in having this 
pamphlet printed in the manner it was; but his subse- 
quent conduct would justify the belief that he had pre- 
vious to this, formed a plan to usurp the whole of my 
system of practice, and turn every thing to his own ad- 
vantage; for he has since attempted to satisfy the pub- 
lic, that my system was no system; and has brought 
forward this very book, which was printed under his 
own inspection, and arranged by him, as a part of his 
proof, that I was incapable of managing my own dis- 
coveries, and of communicating the necessary informa- 
tion in an intelligible manner to make my system of 
practice useful to those who purchased the rights. It is 
a well known fact, that some of the most essential 
parts of the directions were to be verbal; and I had al- 
lowed him ten dollars each, to give the proper instruc- 
tions to all those to whom he sold the rights. 

Another circumstance that I have recently found out, 
goes to show a dishonesty in design, to say the least of 
it. He deposited the title page of the above mentioned 
pamphlet, and obtained a certificate from the clerk, in 
the name of Elias Smith, as proprietor, and caused it to 
be printed in the name of Samuel Thomson, as author 
and proprietor. What his intentions were in thus pub- 
lishing a false certificate, I shall not attempt to explain; 
but leave the reader to judge for himself. If I had been 
taken away, he possibly might have come forward and 
claimed under it a right to all my discoveries, and event- 
ually to substitute himself in my place as sole proprietor. 
From that time he neglected the sale of rights, and turn- 
ed his attention mostly to practice and preparing his own 
medicine. During the summer of 1820, he employed 
Mr. Darling to assist him in practice, and prepare medi- 
cine, and while with him he prepared thirty-eight bottles 
of the rheumatic drops, which by agreement he was to 



160 Nai*r alive of the Life, §€* 

have of me; he also directed him to take the material* 
from my stock, which was in the house, and prepare 
twenty-five pounds of composition, and this was kept a 
secret from me. The reason he gave Mr. Darling for 
not having medicine of me according to his agreement, 
was, that he owed me so much now that he was afraid 
he should never be able to pay me. I thought his tak- 
ing the preparing of as well as the selling of my medicine 
to himself, was a very singular way to pay an old debt. 

In May, 1820, Mr. Smith collected together those in 
Boston who had bought rights of me or my agents, and 
formed them into a society, under a new name; he wrote 
a constitution, which they signed ; and the members paid 
one dollar entrance, and were to pay twelve and a half 
cents per month assessment, lor which he promised them 
important instructions and cheap medicine. He was ap- 
pointed president and treasurer, and after he had obtain- 
ed their money, the meetings were discontinued, and the 
society was broken up in the course of nine months. In 
this he appears to have taken the lead of all those who 
had purchased the right of me, and make them tributary 
to himself. 

In November, I returned from the country and found 
that he had advertised, without my knowledge or con- 
sent, in the Herald, a periodical work published by him 
at that time, " proposals for publishing by subscription, 
a book to contain the whole of the system and practice 
discovered by Samuel Thomson, and secured to him by 
patent. The price to subscribers to be five dollars. By 
Elias Smith." This mostly stopped the sale of rights, 
for no one would purchase a right of me or my agents at 
twenty dollars, when they had the promise of them at 
rive. I went to him to know* what he meant by his con- 
duct, in issuing these proposals; he plead innocence, 
and said he had no improper design in doing it. 

I was now under the necessity of doing something in 
order to counteract what had been done by Mr. Smith, 
in publishing the above proposals; and came to the de- 
termination to issue new proposals for publishing a nar- 
rative of my life as far as related to my practice, with a 
complete description of my system of practice in curing 
disease, and the manner of preparing and using the med~ 



Of Samuel Thomson. 161 

icine secured to me by patent; the price to subscribers 
to be ten dollars, including the right to each of using the 
same for himself and family. Mr. Smith undertook to 
write the proposals and get them printed ; after they were 
struck off, I found he had said in them, by Samuel Thom- 
son and Elias Smith; all subscribers to be returned to 
the latter. I asked him what he meant by putting his name 
with mine; he said in order to get more subscribers. I 
said no more about it at that time, and let them be dis- 
tributed. 

When I settled with him the last time, I asked him 
what he would charge me to prepare my manuscript for 
the press; he said he thought we were to write it to- 
gether; I asked him what made him think so; he said 
because his name was on the proposals with mine; I ad- 
mitted this; but told him the reasons he had assigned 
for putting his name to it without my consent or knowl- 
edge. He then intimated that he thought he was to be 
a partner with me ; I asked him what I ever had of him 
to entitle him to an equal right to all my discoveries. 
To this he made no reply; but said he would write it, 
and we would agree upon a price afterwards, .1 told 
him no; I must know his price first. He said he could 
not tell within fifty dollars. I then told him we would 
say no more about it. This conversation, together with 
his conduct in regard to the proposals, convinced me be^ 
yond all doubt, th«it his design was to destroy me, and 
take the whole business to himself. I felt unwilling to 
trust him any longer, and took all my books and manu> 
scripts from his house. His subsequent conduct towards 
me has fully justified all my suspicions, and left no room 
for a doubt, that his intentions were to take every ad- 
vantage of me in his power, and usurp my whole system 
of practice. 

My system of practice and the credit of my medicine, 
was never in a more prosperous condition, than when I 
began with Mr. Smith, to instruct him in a knowledge of 
all my discoveries and experience in curing disease; and 
appointed him agent. The people, wherever it became 
known, were every day becoming convinced of its utili-* 
ty, and the medicine was in great demand; family rights 
sold readily, and every thing seemed to promise complete 
14* 



162 Narrative of ifie Life, fyc. 

success in diffusing a general knowledge of the practice 
among all classes of the people ; but under his manage- 
ment, the whole of my plans had been counteracted, 
and my anticipations in a great measure had been frus- 
trated. By his conduct towards me, in his attempt to 
take the lead of the practice out of my hands, and de- 
stroy my credit with the public, he has not only been a 
serious loss to me in a pecuniary point of view, but the 
people at large are deprived of the blessings that might 
be derived by a correct knowledge of my discoveries; 
and by which they might have it in their power to relieve 
themselves from sickness and pain with a trifling expense, 
and generations yet unborn be greatly benefitted thereby. 
I tried to get a settlement with Mr Smith, for the med- 
icine he had prepared and sold, and also for the rights he 
had not accounted to me for, with the affairs that remain- 
ed unadjusted between us: but could not get him to do 
any thing about it; and finding there was no chance of 
obtaining an honorable settlement with him, about the 
first of February, 1821, I took all my medicine from his 
house, and discontinued all connection or concern with 
him. I was then, after waiting about four years for him 
to assist me in writing, which was one of my greatest 
objects in appointing him agent, obliged to publish a 
pamphlet, in which I gave some of the principles upon 
which my system was founded, with explanations and di- 
rections for my practice, and also to notify the public 
that I had appointed other agents, and cautioii all per- 
sons against trespassing on my patent. 

He continued to practise and prepare medicine, bid- 
ding me defiance. I made several attempts to get an 
honorable settlement with him, without success. I em- 
ployed three .persons to go to him and offer to settle all 
our difficulties by leaving them to a reference; but he re- 
fused to do any thing, continued to trespass, and made 
use of every means to destroy my character by abusive 
and false reports concerning my conduct, both in regard 
to my practice and private character. Finding that I 
could get no redress from him, I put an advertisement 
in the papers, giving notice that Ihad deprived him of 
all authority as my agent; and- cautioning the public 
against receiving any medicine or information from him 



Of Samuel Thomson, 163 

under any authority of mine. He redoubled his dili- 
gence in trespassing, and prepared the medicine and ad- 
vertised it for sale under different names from what I 
had called it. I found there was no other way for me to 
do, but to appeal to the laws of my country for justice, 
and brought an action against him for a trespass on my 
patent, to be tried at the Circuit Court, at the October 
term, 1821. The action was continued to May term, 
when it was called up, and the Judge decided that the 
specifications in my patent were improperly made out, 
not being sufficiently explicit to found my action upon. 
In consequence of which I had to become non-suited, 
and stop all further proceedings against him, till I could 
make out new specifications and obtain a new patent 
from the government, 

Mr. Smith has lately [1822] published a book in which 
he has given my system of practice with directions for 
preparing and using the vegetable medicine secured to 
me by patent, and my plan of treatment in curing disease 
as far as he knew it. In the whole of this work there is 
not one principle laid down or one idea suggested, ex- 
cept what is taken from other authors, but what he has 
obtained from my written or verbal instructions; and still 
he has the effrontery to publish it to the world as his own 
discovery, without giving me any credit whatever, except 
he has condescended to say that " Samuel Thomson has 
made some imperfect discoveries of disease and medi- 
cine, but has not reduced any thing to a regular sys- 
tem." This assertion will appear so perfectly ridiculous 
to all those who have any knowledge of my practice, 
that I shall forbear making any comment upon it. It is 
true that he has made alterations in the names of some 
of the preparations of medicine, but the articles used, 
and the manner of using them, are the same as mine. It 
is also a well known fact, that he had no knowledge of 
medicine, or of curing disease, until I instructed him: 
and if what he says be true, the effect has been very re- 
markable, in as much as his magnetical attraction has 
drawn all the skill from me to himself, by which he has 
taken upon himself the title of Physician, and left me 
nothing but the appellation of Mr. Thomson, the imper- 
fect projector. 



164 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

I have been more particular in describing Mr. Smith's 
conduct, because it has been an important crisis in the 
grand plan for which I have spent a great part of my 
life, and suffered much, to bring about; that of estab- 
lishing a system of medical practice, whereby the people 
of this highly fayored country may have a knowledge 
of the means by which they can at all times relieve them- 
selves from the diseases incident to our country, by a 
perfectly safe and simple treatment, and thereby relieve 
themselves from a heavy expense, as well as the often 
dangerous consequences arising from the employing 
those who make use of poisonous drugs and other means, 
by which they cause more disease than they cure; and 
in which I consider the public as well as myself have a 
deep interest. I have endeavored to make a correct 
and faithful statement of his conduct, and the treatment 
I have received from him; every particular of which 
can be substantiated by indisputable testimony if neces- 
sary. I now appeal to the public, and more particularly 
to all who have been benefitted by my discoveries, for 
their aid and countenance, in supporting my just rights 
against all encroachments, and securing to me my claims 
to whatever of merit or distinction I am honorably and 
justly entitled. While I assure them that I am not to 
be discouraged or diverted from my grand object by 
opposition, or the dishonesty of those who deal deceit- 
fully with me; but shall persevere in all honorable and 
fair measures to accomplish what my life has principally 
been spent in fulfilling. 



ADBITI©i$$ 
To the Second Edition— Nor. tm5. 

Since the first edition of my narrative was published,, 
some circumstances have occurred, which I think worth 
relating; and shall, therefore, continue to give the reader 
an account of all those things relating to my system of 
practice, and the success it has met with, up to the 
present time. 

After having failed in my attempt to obtain justice, by 
prosecuting Elias Smith for trespass, as has been before 
related, I found it necessary to adopt some new plan of 
procedure, in order to meet the universal opposition I 
have in all cases met with from not only the medical 
faculty, but from all those who belong to what are called 
the learned professions. Judge Story decided that the 
action could not be sustained, because the specifications 
in my patent were not so explicit as to determine what 
my claim was. He said it contained a number of re- 
cipes, which, no doubt, were very valuable; but I did 
not say what part of it I claimed as rny own invention. 
How far this opinion was governed by a preconcerted 
plan to prevent me from maintaining my claim as the 
original inventor of a system of practice, and proving its 
utility in a court of justice, it would not be proper for 
me to say; but I have an undoubted right to my own 
opinion on the subject; besides I had it from very high 
authority at the time, that this was the fact, and that I 
should always find all my efforts to support my claim, 
frustrated in the same manner. When I obtained my 
patent, I had good legal advice in making out the speci- 
fications, besides, it was examined and approved by the 
Attorney General of the United States; and it was said 
at the time of the trial, by several gentlemen learned in 
the law, to be good; and that the very nature and mean- 



166 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

ing of the patent was, that the compounding and using 
the articles specified in manner therein set forth, was 
what I claimed as my invention. 

There was, however, no other way for me to do, but 
to obtain another patent; and immediately after the 
above decision, I set about getting one that would meet 
the objections that had been made to the first. In mak- 
ing new specifications, I had the assistance of several 
gentlemen of the law, and others, and every precaution 
was taken to have them according to law; but whether 
my second patent will be more successful than the first, 
time must determine. It embraces the six numbers, 
composition or vegetable powders, nerve powder, and 
the application of steam to raise perspiration; and to put 
my claim beyond doubt, I added at the end as follows, 
viz: "The preparing and compounding the foregoing 
vegetable medicine, in manner as herein described, and 
the administering them to cure disease, as herein men- 
tioned, together with the use of steam to produce perspi- 
ration, I claim as my own invention." My second patent 
is dated January 28, 1823. 

In obtaining a patent, it was my principal object to 
get the protection of the government agaXist the machi- 
nations of my enemies, more than to take advantage of 
a monopoly; for in selling family rights, I convey to the 
purchaser the information gained by thirty years prac- 
tice, and for which I am paid a sum of money as an 
equivalent. This I should have a right to do, if there 
were no patent in the case. Those who purchase the 
right have all the advantages of my experience, and also 
the right to the use of the medicine, secured to me by 
patent, and to the obtaining and preparing it for them- 
selves, without any emolument to me whatever. And in 
all the numerous cases where I have sold rights, there 
have been very few instances where any objections have 
been made to paying for them, where notes had been 
given, and these were by those who had been persuaded 
by men opposed to me and my practice, and who had 
interested views in doing me all the injury they could; 
but where suits have been commenced to recover on 
notes given for rights, it has been decided that the de- 
mand is good in law, and the plea set up of no value re- 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 167 

ceived, is not valid; because the information given, and 
the advantages received, is a valuable consideration, 
without any reference to the patent right. In all cases 
where a person possesses valuable information from his 
own experience or ingenuity, there can be no reason why 
he should not have a right to sell it to another as well as 
any other property, and that all contracts made in such 
cases should not be binding, provided there is no fraud 
or deception used. 

When a suitable opportunity offers, I shall avail my- 
self of my patent rights, for the purpose of stopping the 
people being imposed upon, by those who pretend to 
practise by my system, having no authority from me, 
and have not a correct knowledge of the subject; but 
are tampering with all kinds of medicine to the injury 
of their patients, and the great detriment of the credit of 
my system of practice; for when they happen to be 
successful, they arrogate to themselves great credit for 
the cure; but when the patients die, it is all laid to the 
door of my system. The doctors are ready enough to 
avail themselves of these cases, and to publish exagger- 
ated accounts of them, to prejudice the minds of the 
people against me. Whenever I again make an attempt 
to vindicate my rights, by appealing to the laws of my 
country, I am determined, if possible, to take such meas- 
ures as shall give me a fair chance to obtain justice. All 
I ask is, to have a fair opportunity to prove my medicine 
to be new and useful, which is all the law requires to 
make the patent valid. In doing this, I shall spare no 
expense to have the most able counsel in the country en- 
gaged, and shall not stop at any decision against me, till 
carried to the highest judicial tribunal in the country. 

It is a matter of much gratulation to me, and a balm 
for all my sufferings, that my system of practice is fast 
gaining ground in all parts of the country. The peo- 
ple wherever it is introduced, take a lively interest in 
the cause, and family rights sell rapidly; and all who 
purchase, give much credit to the superior and benefi- 
cial effects of the medicine above all others. The 
prejudices of those who have been opposed to it seem 
to be fast wearing away before the light of reason and 
common sense. A number of gentlemen, eminent for 



168 Narrative of the -Lt/e, fyc. 

their scientific researches and usefulness in society, have 
become advocates for the cause; and although they may 
not be perfectly converted so as to give up all their 
former opinions, yet they allow that the system is inge- 
nious and philosophical, and that the practice is new and 
safe. 

In introducing my new mode of practice to the peo- 
ple of this country, I have never sought the patronage 
or assistance of the great; and the success it has met 
with has been altogether owing to its own merit. There 
has been no management or arts used to deceive or to 
flatter the vanity of any one; but in all cases I have en- 
deavored to convince by demonstrating the truth, by 
the most plain and simple method of practice, to effect 
the object aimed at, and to cure disease by such means 
as I thought would cause the least trouble and expense. 
This, probably, has been one of the greatest causes of 
the opposition I have met with from the people; for 
they have been so long in the habit of being gulled by 
designing men, and the ostentatious show of pompous 
declarations and high sounding words, backed by the 
recommendations of those they have flattered and deceiv- 
ed, that nothing brought forward in a plain and simple 
dress seems worthy of notice. If I had adopted a more 
deceptive plan, to suit the follies of the times, I might 
have been more successful; but I am satisfied I should 
have been less useful. 

There is one thing which I think cannot be matter 
of doubt, that I have been the cause of awakening a 
spirit of inquiry among the people of this country, into 
the medical practice and the fashionable manner of treat- 
ment in curing disease, from which great benefits will 
be derived to the community. Many new contrivances 
and plans have been introduced by different men, to 
produce perspiration by steam and other methods, by 
the use of vegetables, which unquestionably have taken 
their origin from my practice. When I began to make 
use of steam, a great deal of noise was made about it 
throughout the country, and I was called the steaming 
and sweating doctor, by way of ridicule. It was even 
stated by the doctors, that I steamed and sweat my pa- 
tients to death. This no doubt led some ingenious men 



Of Samuel Thomson. 169 

to investigate the subject by experiments, and on dis- 
covering that it was useful in restoring health to the 
afflicted, particularly in scrofulous complaints, different 
contrivances have been introduced to apply steam to the 
sick. Jennings's vapor bath was highly recommended 
and considerably used a few years ago ; but it has been 
found not to be safe in cases where there is a high state 
of inflammation, without the use of my medicine to first 
produce an equilibrium in the system. A man by the 
name of Whitlaw, has lately introduced what he calls his 
medicated vapor bath, which has made considerable stir 
among the medical faculty. 

It seems that this Mr. Whitlaw, from what I can 
learn of him from his publications, about 1816, went 
from this country to England, and there introduced a 
new system of practice, and became celebrated in cur- 
ing all kinds of scrofulous complaints and diseases of the 
glands, by means of his method of applying steam and 
the use of decoctions from American vegetables. How 
he got his knowledge, or what first induced him to fix 
upon this plan, I know not; but it seems, as far as I can 
understand him, that he has adopted my system of prac- 
tice as far as he has been able to get a knowledge of it. 
He says something about gaining his knowledge from 
an Indian in this country; but this is too stale to require 
any notice. One of the great principles upon which 
my system is founded, is, that all disease originates in 
obstructions in the glands, and if not removed becomes 
scrofulous; and the only remedy is to remove the ob- 
structions by raising perspiration by steam and hot med- 
icine. In all my practice, for nearly forty years, there 
has been nothing that I have succeeded more completely 
in, than the cure of scrofulous complaints, such as salt- 
rheum, St. Anthony's fire, scalt head, cancers, king's 
evil, rheumatism and consumption. 

It appears that the above gentleman has met with 
great success in England, and that he has had the sup- 
port and patronage of many of the first men in the king- 
dom, who have liberally contributed to the support of 
ari asylum for the cure of the poor, and that his suc- 
cess has given universal satisfaction. And it also ap- 
pears that he has met with abuse from the medical fac- 
15 



170 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

ulty, both there and in this country. This was to have 
been expected, and is the best evidence of its utility. I 
feel no enmity towards those who are benefiting by my 
discoveries, and it gives me much pleasure to think that I 
have been instrumental in introducing a new system of 
medical practice, by which I feel confident so much 
benefit will be derived by relieving in a great measure, 
the sum of human misery. But I think those gentlemen 
who have gained any knowledge from my practice, for 
which I have suffered so much for introducing, ought, in 
justice, to allow me some credit for the discovery. 

It has been my misfortune to meet with not only op- 
position in my practice, but to suffer many wrongs from 
some with whom I have had dealings, and this in many 
cases were those who have attempted to injure me* were 
among those that I considered under obligations to me. 
I have related a number of cases in the course of my 
narrative; but the disposition in many, still seems to 
continue. In selling family rights, I have always been 
as liberal to purchasers as they could wish, particularly 
where I was convinced their circumstances made it in- 
convenient for them to pay the money down ; and have 
been in the habit of taking notes payable at a convenient 
time. This has occasioned me considerable loss; but 
in most cases the purchasers have shown a disposition to 
pay if in their power, have treated me with a proper re- 
spect, and have been grateful for the favor; with these 
I have been satisfied, and no one has had reason to com- 
plain of my want of generosity towards them. There 
have been some, however, who have taken a different 
course, and have not only refused to comply with their 
contract, but have notwithstanding they have continued 
to use the medicine, turned against me and have tried to 
do me all the harm in their power. Such conduct has 
caused me some considerable vexation and trouble. 

At the time I failed in my attempt against Elias Smith, 
in consequence of the decision against the correctness 
of the specifications of my patent, as has been before 
related, I had a number of notes for rights sold, among 
them were two against a person, who had previously 
expressed great zeal in my cause, for a right for him- 
self, and one for his friend. During the pending 6f the 



Of Samuel Thomson. 171 

trial, he took sides with Smith ; and after the decision, 
came to the conclusion, or, as I suppose, was told by- 
Smith, that the notes could not be collected by law, and 
refused to pay them. I did not wish to put him to cost, 
and therefore let the business rest, in hopes he would 
think better of it and pay me according to contract ; but 
after waiting until the notes were nearly outlawed, and 
he still refusing to pay, 1 put one of them in suit, and 
the action was tried before the Boston Police Court. 
The defence set up was, that the contract was void, in 
consequence of the failure of the patent; and also that 
there was no value received. 

The trial was before Mr. Justice Orne, and was man- 
aged by Mr. Morse, for the plaintiff, and Mr. Merrill, for 
the defendant. On this trial, as on all others in which 
I have been engaged, there seemed to be the same fixed 
prejudice against me and my system of practice. The 
defendant's lawyer opened the defence with all the old 
slang about quackery, alluding to the report of my trial 
for murder, and that he was going to make out one of 
the greatest cases of deception and fraud ever known; 
but when he came to hear the evidence in support of 
my claim, and the great credit given to my medicine 
and practice, by many respectable witnesses, he altered 
his tone very much, and I hope became convinced of 
his erroneous impressions; and seemed to abandon this 
part of the defence, placing his dependence on the ques- 
tion of law, as to the failure of the patent. This question 
the Judge seemed not willing to decide alone, and the 
case was continued for argument before the full court, 
on this point. 

The case was argued before the three Judges, who all 
agreed in the opinion, that the decision of the Circuit 
Court did not affect the patent right; but was a mere 
suspension, in consequence of an informality in the 
specifications, which did not debar me from recovering 
according to the contract. After this decision, another 
hearing was had, and another attempt made to prove 
that the defendant had not been furnished by me with 
the necessary information to enable him to practise with 
safety; but in this he failed altogether; for it was prov- 
ed that he had the privilege of being a member of the 



172 JSmrative of the Life, §c. 

Friendly Botanic Society, and had also all the advantages 
that others had, and that if he did not improve it, it was 
his own fault. It was also proved that he had been in 
the constant practice of using the medicine in his family. 
and prepared and offered it for sale to others. In the 
course of the examination, Elias Smith was brought for- 
ward by the defendant, to prove, as I presume, that I 
w r as not capable of giving information on my own system 
of practice; but his testimony was so contradictory, to 
say the least of it, that it did more harm than good to the 
defendant's cause. There was also a doctor of the regu- 
lar order introduced in the defence; but he seemed to 
know nothing about the practice or the case before the 
court, and of course his evidence amounted to very little, 
as his opinion upon a subject that he knew nothing about, 
was not of much value, and was very properly objected 
to by the plaintiff's counsel. 

In the course of the trial, a great number of gentle- 
men of undoubted veracity, were brought forward to 
prove the utility of my system of practice, who gave the 
most perfect testimony in its favor. Several stated, that 
they were so well convinced of its superiority over all 
others, and they were so well satisfied with the benefits 
they had derived from its use, that no sum of money 
whatever would induce them to be deprived of a knowl- 
edge of it. Among tiie witnesses, an eminent physician 
of Boston, who has on all occasions been very friendly, 
and shown a warm interest in support of my system of 
practice, voluntarily came forward and gave a very fair 
and candid statement in favor of its utility, the value of 
my discoveries, and the important additions I had made 
to the Materia Me die a. 

The Judge took several days to make up his judgment, 
and finally decided in my favor, giving me the full 
amount of my claim; thus settling the principle, that 
obligations given for family rights were good in law. 
This was the first time I have ever had a chance to prove 
the utility of my medicine and system of practice, be- 
fore a court of law; having always before been pre- 
vented by some management of the court. 

A knowledge of the vegetable medicine that I have 
brought into use in curing the diseases incident to this 



Of Samuel Thomson, 173 

country, and what the faculty call, my "novel mode of 
practice/ 9 is fast gaining ground in all parts of the United 
States; but in no part of it of late, has it been more com- 
pletely successful, than in the State of New York, not- 
withstanding the virulent opp®sition the doctors in that 
State have made to its progress. They have succeeded 
in getting a law passed by their Legislature, to put a stop 
to quackery, as they call all practice, except by those 
who get a diploma from some medical society established 
by law; depriving all others of the right of collecting their 
demands for medical practice; and they have also gone 
one step further than any other State, by making it penal 
for any one who is not of the regular order, to sell medi- 
cine to the sick; imposing a fine of twenty-five dollars 
on all who offend; thus taking away from those who 
are so unfortunate as to be sick, all the right of deter- 
mining for themselves, who they shall employ to cure 
them, or what medicine they shall make use of. The 
Medical Society of Pennsylvania, made an attempt to get 
a similar law passed in that State; but the good sense 
of Gov. Shultz, put a stop to it, for which he is entitled 
to great praise. After they had managed to get it 
through the Legislature, he refused to sign it, and re- 
turned the bill with his reasons; the principal of which 
was, that he considered it altogether unconstitutional; 
and it is to be hoped that the enlightened statesman and 
scholar, now Governor of New York,* will use his in- 
fluence to stop the interested and monopolizing schemes 
of the medical faculty in that important and enterpris- 
ing State. 

The remarkable extension of the practice in the State 
of New York, was in a great measure owing to accident; 
and proves what I have found to be the case in many 
other places, that where it has met with the greatest op- 
position from the faculty, the spread of a knowledge of 
its utility, has been the most rapid and permanent. In 
the year 1821, my son, Cyrus Thomson, who had settled 
in Ohio, was passing through the State of New York, on 
a visit to his friends ; while in Manlius, he stopped to 
see a man whom I had authorized to practise, and while 

*The late Governor Clinton. 
15* 



174 Narrative of the Life, fyc, 

there, was requested by him to go and see two patients 
he had been requested to attend; both of them had been 
given over by the doctors, as incurable. One of them 
was found to be past help, very little was done for her, 
and she soon after died. The other was cured by the 
use of the medicine. The death of the above person 
" was taken advantage of by the doctors, who circulated a 
report that she was murdered by the medicine that had 
been given her. This produced a strong excitement 
among the people, who knew nothing about the facts; 
a warrant was obtained, through the influence of the 
doctors, and my son and the other man were arrest- 
ed. My son was thrown into prison, and the other 
was put under bonds of a thousand do!>ars, to appear 
at the next court. The first, however, after laying in 
jail three days, was enabled to give bonds, also, for his 
appearance. 

Being thus prevented from pursuing his journey, he 
set himself down in the town where the above occur- 
rence took place, and went into practice. The persecu- 
tions of the faculty gave him friends, as it led the people 
to inquire into their conduct, and being satisfied of their 
motives, did all they could to protect him and increase 
his practice. His success has been greater than in any 
other part of the country, the practice having spread 
over a country of more than two hundred miles in ex- 
tent; and his success in curing disease has been very 
great, having lost but six patients out of about fifteen 
hundred. This has caused the faculty to follow up their 
persecutions, in order to drive him out of the country; 
but he is too firmly established in the good opinion of 
the people, for them to effect their object. I have 
another son established in the practice at Albany, who 
has been very successful in introducing the knowledge 
of it there ; and a number of gentlemen of the first 
respectability, are taking a strong interest in promoting 
its success. 

A writer has lately come forward and published a 
series of numbers in the Boston Patriot, under the title 
of "Eclectic," who appears well qualified, and seems 
disposed to do me and my system of practice justice, 
by laying before the people a correct view of my case, 



Of Samuel Thomson. 175 

I shall now bring this narrative of those events and 
circumstances that have taken place in my life, in which 
the public are interested, to a close; having stated every 
particular that I thought worthy of being recorded, in 
as concise and plain a manner as I was capable; and 
am not without a hope that my endeavors to promote 
the public good, will be duly appreciated. Some cer- 
tificates and statements of cases that have been attended 
under my system of practice, from those who have been 
my agents, or who have purchased family rights, and 
have had long experience in the effects produced by a 
use of my medicine, are subjoined. # They furnish much 
useful information on the subject, and will convey a more 
correct view of the success which has attended the ad- 
ministering my medicine, and following the mode of 
treatment recommended by my system of practice, than 
could be given in any other manner. Reference has 
been made to some of them in the course of the forego- 
ing narrative, and their publication in the work seemed 
necessary, to convey a correct knowledge of many state- 
ments therein given, to show the safety and success with 
which various diseases have been cured by others, who 
have had no other knowledge of medicine than the in- 
structions received from me; and will, I trust, be suffi- 
cient to satisfy every reasonable person how easy it would 
be for every one to become possessed of the means of 
curing themselves of disease, without being under the 
necessity of calling the aid of a physician. 

Our Family Doctor, 

Few families, particularly in cities and villages, think 
they can do without a family doctor. But of what use 
is a family, other than his own, to a doctor, unless there 
be sickness? Hence it is for the interest of the doctor, 
if the family are not sick, to make them so. The family 
doctor has too often an opportunity of doing this with im- 
punity, without detection, and without even exciting 
suspicion. " Even contagion is often spread abroad which 
might have been cured by an old, or even a young wo- 
man at home. 

* These certificates are now very much condensed. 



176 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

u Behold, how great a matter, a little fire kindleth!" 
James iii. 5. For example. A child is taken with the 
belly-ache. The family doctor is sent for, who pro- 
nounces its disorder to be worms; gives calomel and 
jalap to destroy them, which reduces the child very much. 
The next visit, bleeds it, to lay the fever, then gives it a 
fever powder, composed of nitre, opium and camphor, 
once in two hours. The patient now lays in a stupid, 
senseless posture, with crimson spots on the cheeks, de- 
noting putrefaction. The doctor is again sent for in 
, haste, who now pronounces it to be the putrid fever. 
The bleeding is repeated, and the fever powders contin- 
ued. The nerves become convulsed, and the doctor is 
again sent for, who pronounces the disorder to be the 
putrid nervous fever, and that it has become contagious; 
the child dies; the family, worn out with fatigue, and 
being much alarmed, begin to become sick, and by the 
time the corpse of the child is interred, are all down with 
the disorder. The doctor now has much employ; the 
neighbors are called in to watch, the putrefaction runs 
high ; the neighbors, one after another, take the disorder, 
and return home sick ; the doctor is called, business gains 
rapidly in consequence of the same treatment, until the 
fever has gone through the whole village. All thank the 
doctor for his incessant attention and kindness; and he 
boasts of wonderful success, having lost but fifty out of 
one hundred and fifty- His bill is paid with the greatest 
satisfaction. By this time the doctor can build his house 
without sitting down "to count the cost." [Pause ] 

T Vhat is the cause of all this village sickness? Re- 
■ member the text. "Behold, how great a matter, a little 
fire kindleth." A child was taken with the belly-ache; 
and had no doctor been known, the mother, with one gill 
of pepper and milk, could have cured the child, and sav- 
ed all this slaughter of the scourge of a family doctor. 

Is not this the cause of the spread of so many conta- 
gious disorders, which prevail unaccounted for? If so, 
learn wisdom by the evils which others endure; study 
the nature of disease, and how to remove it, and never 
trust your own life, nor that of a child, in the hands of 
what is called a family physician. 



ADDITIONS 

To the Third Edition-— August, 1S31. 

In the year 1825, " The Friendly Botanical Society 
in Boston," being destitute of a practitioner, wished me 
to appoint an agent, whom I thought competent, to take 
the lead in practice, and sell my medicine. I recom- 
mended Mr. John Locke, of Portsmouth, as has been 
before related, in whom I had put the utmost confidence. 
He was sent for by the committee, and moved here in 
the summer of that same year. I gave him twenty dol- 
lars, and others of the committee, and members, gave 
him something handsome, for his encouragement. I 
agreed to furnish him with all the medicine, either used 
or sold by him, at stipulated prices, to give advice when 
needed, to furnish him with books for the sale of family 
rights, and to give him ten dollars for every right sold; 
and for the medicine, I was to wait one year before de- 
manding payment. At the end of the year, my principal 
agent, Col. House, and the three committee, looked over 
Mr. Locke's account, in my absence, and reported to 
me that, in their opinion, Mr. Locke had not made as 
much as he ought, and proposed for me to give him the 
privilege of making the medicine used in his practice. 
I indulged them in this proposal, and granted their re- 
quest for one year. But, availing himself of this inch 
of indulgence, he took the liberty to prepare and sell for 
his own profit to all that should call on him for medi- 
cine. At the end of this year, in my absence, my prin- 
cipal agent, as committee, gave him liberty to proceed 
in the manner he had done. I continued to give advice 
as usual through this year, frequently calling on the com- 
mittee to revoke the liberty they had given Mr. Locke, 
to prepare and sell my medicine for his own profit, with- 
out rendering me any account. In these two years, by 



178 Narrative of the Life, <$*c. 

my assistance, and that of my agent and committee, Mr. 
Locke seemed to be well established in the business, and 
boasted of his great success, not having lost a patient in 
two years. But at the same time he seemed to lose sight 
that I had been any benefit to him, and rather paid his 
whole attention to the committee. 

In all this time, I had never thought or mistrusted that 
there was a plot laid against me, either by him, my 
agent, or the committee, or with all combined, nor until 
about the end of the second year, which now seems but 
too obvious. Having recently returned from the West, 
I was at Mr. Locke's house, and showed him a news- 
paper which contained an account of the masonic out- 
rage at Batavia. After reading it, he flew into a great 
passion, and accosted me as though I had made the story. 
I tried to argue the case with him; bui in vain. He 
called me by as many hard names as he could well think 
of, and occasionally, the words w lie," and " fool," were 
in the compound. I did not think that I had merited 
such treatment, having rendered him my service and ad- 
vice gratuitously, for two years. He seemed to be so in- 
dependent, that he said that he wanted nothing of me, nor 
cared any thing for me. I retorted that I wanted noth- 
ing of him except an honorable settlement. This set- 
tlement never came to a close until the fall of the year 
1830, and then only in part. He rendered an account 
of upwards of forty rights which he had sold, aad for 
which he settled by my deducting about one quarter of 
my share ; but as for the medicine which he has prepar- 
ed and sold for his own benefit, he refuses to give me 
any account thereof. So much for this inch of indul- 
gence. Such conduct appears to me to be rather hard, 
especially after all I and the society had done for him, to 
enable him to assist me in my old age. But instead of 
this, with the assistance of the committee, and my prin- 
cipal agent, they have taken the lead of the business out 
of my hands as far as they were able to do it. 

I have tried repeatedly to get a settlement with Col. 
House, my principal agent, but cannot effect it. He has 
paid me nothing for the large number of rights sold in 
about ten years, nor will he render any account. I know 
not how many books he has sold, as he took them when- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 179 

ever he wanted, in my absence. When I called on him 
last to settle, he said he had lost his account of credit. 
Here is the result often years agency! Besides which, 
I lent him and his partner, ten years ago, two hundred 
dollars, one of which he has paid in printing, the other 
he refuses to pay. I might mention many other circum- 
stances which would go to show a decided hostility 
against me, and a determination to raise Mr. Locke, if 
possible, at my expense; but I forbear, for they have 
neither built him up, nor put me down. I have paid no 
attention to all this opposition; but have kept on in a 
straight forward course, attending to the preparing of 
good medicine and supplying all those who wished 
for it. 

I have thought much on the opposition and abuse I 
have met with here, from those whom I considered my 
best friends, and what I could have done to merit it in 
their estimation. I will not undertake to say how far 
masonry has been concerned in these transactions; but 
certain I am that it commenced with Mr. Locke, on my 
innocently showing him a newspaper which contained 
an account of a masonic outrage. 1 thought no more 
harm in this than as though I had showed him a paper 
which contained an account of the murder of Mr. White. 
Did Mr. Locke resent this, because he was a mason? 
And why did my agent and committee from this time 
possess such sympathy for him, and conspire against me, 
insomuch that when an Infirmary was talked of, they 
would not subscribe a cent, unless Mr. Locke could be 
at the head of it? I think that my agent and two of 
the committee are masons, and that Mr. Locke is a 
mason; if so, four out of five against me were masons, 
and whether masonry has had any effect on the mind 
and conduct of these gentlemen, I shall leave the read- 
er and the public to draw their own conclusions*. It is 
to be hoped that the good people who belonged to the 
society, which the president and committee have suffer- 
ed to be broken up by not calling the annual meeting, 
for the choice of officers agreeably to the constitution; 
the good people who took no part in the above transac- 
tions, and who have had no part in the destruction of 
the society, will make every effort for its resuscitation, 



180 Narrative of the Life, $c. 

hoping that.it will die no more; but that it will live to be 
useful to the sick and infirm, and be an ornament to gen- 
erations yet unborn. 

It is expected that arrangements will be made for the 
delivery of Botanic lectures, when the society will revive 
and put on strength UMtil the learned, as well as the un- 
learned, shall join to revolutionize the medical world. 

I shall not go into any further particular details of 
agents, but only take a general view in the western parts 
of the United States. 

Since my last edition was printed in Boston, I have 
been six times in and through the State of Ohio. In 
the year 1825, I appointed Charles Miles, as agent in 
Ohio, and furnished him with seventy-two books for 
family rights. On his way home he purchased a number 
of counterfeit books, of David Rogers, of Geneva, I un- 
derstood about one hundred, more or less. He went 
down into the central part of the State, and in the course 
of eighteen months sold about ten thousand dollars 
worth of rights, and imposed on the inhabitants at a 
great rate. Some he sold for seventy-five dollars, some 
twenty-five, others twelve, and he would leave but one 
book for four rights. When he came round again, he 
would borrow my book and leave the other, and sell my 
book again to another set of four or five ; and so con- 
tinued until he had sold all mine, and nearly all the oth- 
ers. In the fall of 1826, Horton Howard caused a letter 
to be sent to me, giving an account of Miles's conduct, 
and requesting me to come on to see about it. I arrived 
in January, 1827, and, following after Miles, I found his 
conduct to be as had been stated. I published handbills, 
and otherwise showing that he had no authority from me 
to do as he had done. I revoked his agency, and paci- 
fied the rage of the people as well as T could, by restor- 
ing the family right to those to whom he had so impro- 
perly sold it, and besides this, I lost a great part of what 
he owed me. 

In January of the same year, I made Horton Howard 
agent for the Western country, with authority to print 
my book, and in three and a half years, he had printed 
about six thousand copies, and sold about four thousand 
rights, with the assistance of his sub-agents, amounting 



Of Samuel TJiomson. 181 

iii all to about eighty thousand dollars. I tried at several 
different times to come to an honorable settlement with 
him, until August, 1830, at which time he utterly refus- 
ed to give me an account from beginning. I then 
had but one alternative, either to bring an action against 
him in the court of chancery, or else take what he was 
willing to give. I chose the latter, by which I sacri- 
ficed about seven-eighths of what should have been com- 
ing to me. 1 took his notes for four thousand dollars, 
in. two annual payments, two thousand dollars each 
year. I revoked his agency in two days afterwards, 
August 9, 1830, and appointed four other agents in his 
stead, and took about two thousand copies of books, and 
left them with my other agents. 

The practice has spread rapidly in the southern and 
western States, which has so much alarmed the doctors, 
that they have succeeded in getting laws passed, in al- 
most all the States, to prevent the spread of my practice. 
This has caused me a great deal of trouble and expense, 
and has been of no great benefit to them. It has been 
like whipping fire among the leaves, which only tends 
to spread it the faster. The law is most severe in South 
Carolina, where a suit was attended two years ago. The 
fine is five hundred dollars for each offence, besides im- 
prisonment. This violent outrage roused the patriotic 
spirit of the people, insomuch that the doctor who brought 
the complaint dared not come before the court to support 
it, and requested of the court leave of absence, which 
was granted him. The defence was made on the ground 
of the patent, and by proving the utility of the medi- 
cine; and the case was decided in favor of the defend- 
ant. If persecutions must take place, let persecutors 
go the whole extent of their power, as in the present 
case, and the rights, of the people will be defended. 
Had I not obtained a patent, the people could not have 
defended their rights; but must have bowed down to the 
power of the doctors, they having the law on their side, 
as to a dagon. 

But the dernier resort of the doctors will be to get my 
practice into their own hands, and under their own man- 
agement, if possible. Finding that I should succeed in 
my Botanic practice, certain individuals of them have 
16 



182 Narrative of the Life, $$c. 

set up what they call a reformed college, in New York, 
where they have adopted my practice as far as they 
could obtain a knowledge of it from those who had 
bought the right of me, and would forfeit their word and 
honor to give them instruction. And rinding that the 
Botanic practice gained very fast at the West, they have 
established a branch of their reformed college in Worth- 
ington, Ohio. I saw Dr. Steel, last winter, who is the 
President of that Institution, I was introduced to him 
by Mr. Sealy, a member of the Senate, and Dr. Steel 
was introduced to me as President of said college. I 
asked him if he was President of that reform which was 
stolen from Thomson, in New York. This seemed to 
strike him dumb on the subject. At the same place, a 
few evenings after, I was introduced to one of the prac- 
titioners under this reform, who studied and was educat- 
ed at the college in New York, and was one of the in- 
structors at Worthington. I asked him if he ever saw 
any of my books in the college in New York. He said 
he had accidentally seen one there. I replied, then 
you accidentally confess that my books were studied in 
that college. I then asked him whether they used the 
lobelia. He said they did. I then named the cayenne, 
rheumatic drops, bayberry and nerve powders. He con- 
fessed they used them all in manner and form, as I had 
laid down in my books. I am, therefore, satisfied that if 
my medicine were taken from them, their Institution 
would not be worth one cent. But, to have bought the 
right, would have been too mean for such dignitaries; 
but, to steal it from a quack, was, perhaps, in their esti- 
mation, much more honorable ! ! ! Every honest man 
who hears any of the doctors speak of those colleges 
with approbation, ought to upbraid them with these facts. 
In 1827, while instructing H. Howard, of whom men- 
tion has been made above,! was introduced to Governor 
Trimble, and gave him a right. He had a consumptive 
wife, whom the doctors could not help. I gave him a 
sample of medicine, and what instruction I could. He 
went home, and finding her worse, and no person un- 
derstanding the medicine within fifty miles, he took the 
book and carried her through a course, and repeated it; 
and she soon got well. His wife and nurse cured two 



Of Samuel Tlwmson. 183 

other women with the same sample of medicine I gave 
him. The enemies of the practice, said that they should 
advertise him as a steam doctor. He said they need not 
take that trouble, for he would do it himself. 

The practice has gained a respectable standing in 
nearly all the States in the Union, and also in Canada. 
A man by the name of Henry S. Lawson, has published 
my Guide to Health, in Buffalo, and sold them in Canada; 
and thus made a great speculation from my discoveries. 

In 1829, Mr. Samuel Robinson, delivered before the 
members of the Friendly Botanical Society, in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, a series of fifteen lectures on "Medical 
Botany," denominated the Thomsonian system of prac- 
tice. He is entitled to much credit for this service done 
to the system. Those lectures were delivered without 
my knowledge, being at the time a thousand miles from 
that place. Horton Howard obtained them, while act- 
ing as my agent, paid for them out of my money, secur- 
ed the copy right in his own name, and printed an edition 
of them, which he sold for his own benefit. This book 
gave a great spread to the sale of rights. I have since 
secured the copy right in Boston, and printed an odition 
of two thousand copies, which are selling from fifty to 
sixty-two and a half cents a copy. They contain much 
information, relative to the practice of medicine, as 
taught in medical colleges, and found in medical authors; 
not to be found elsewhere in so small and so cheap a 
work. 

During the agency of Horton Howard, to wit, in July, 
1829, while I was at Columbus, he returned from the 
South, and was so unwell that he wrote to his wife at 
Tiffin, about eighty-four miles, that if she ever wished 
to see him alive, to come without delay. I attended 
him the next day through a thorough course of medi- 
cine, and relieved him, insomuch that I have not heard 
of his being sick since. His wife arrived in about four 
days, when, finding him about house, and well, she took 
him around the neck and burst into tears. I retorted in 
her behalf, saying, "you are not half so bad as I hoped 
y&u would be." This tended to dry her tears, and it 
passed off with a laugh. The next day we all calcu- 
lated to go north, towards the lake. The day before 



184 Narrative of the Life, §c. 

we were to start, about twelve o'clock, he had word that 
his son-in-law, Samuel I 1 orrow, was at the point ot death, 
and requested that some of the family would come as 
soon as possible. Mr. Howard and wife concluded to 
go, and insisted on my going with them. I with much 
reluctance consented. We started at three o'clock, on 
Friday, with two horses and a wagon, and arrived there 
on Saturday, about sun-set, a distance of eighty-six 
miles. Mr. Horton drove all the way, night and day, 
notwithstanding he was calculating to die about five or 
six days before. We found Mr. borrow very sick; but 
one of the patent doctors was there, I gave him but 
little that night, merely a pinch of cayenne, as snuff, as 
he had the catarrh, and was much stuffed on the lungs. 
In the morning, Sunday, I carried him through a course 
of medicine, which roused the opium, that remained in 
his system, into action, as though it had been but just 
taken. He tumbled and thrashed about in his frenzy 
for about four hours, when he became composed. He 
was then steamed, when the medicine operated, which, 
together with the heat, roused the physic into action, 
which run him hard with a relax. I tried to restore the 
digestive powers, but could not on account of his not 
being clear. I was obliged to carry him through a second 
course in thirty-six hours, instead of going forty-eight, 
as I had calculated. We began with him at dark. But 
as soon as the medicine took .hold of the opium, it re- 
newed its operation, which continued eight hours. His 
relatives stood on their feet, about ten in number, ex- 
pecting to see him die before morning. I lay down on 
the floor until the flounce began to abate. Luring six 
hours there was not one second that he was still. He 
continually called for water, and drank about ten quarts 
in the course of the night. About three o'clock in the 
morning, he began to be a little stiller, resting two or 
three seconds at a time. He began to inquire who those 
black people were, which he fancied were there, and 
what they were there for, and many other similar ex- 
pressions, which showed that his senses were returning, 
but were not yet regular. I then told Mr. Howard and 
the family, that they had better go to bed, and I would 
attend him, with one of his sisters, the remainder of the 



Of Samuel Thomson. 185 

night. The medicine then began to operate, after the 
opium had all distilled off. He vomited powerfully about 
eight times, when he appeared to be clear of disorder. 
J filled him well with milk-porridge, and was in readi- 
ness to steam him when the family arose. He was 
steamed, ate breakfast, and rode out in the course of the 
day. I prepared a syrup for his relax, of the black 
cherry root bark, made into a strong tea, as strong as 
the same quantity of bark pounded would make; I then 
added peach or cherry stone meats pounded, then added 
one pound of loaf sugar, and one pint of brandy, which 
made two junk bottles of syrup, to drink on the way. 
On Wednesday, about ten o'clock, Mr. Howard and wife, 
Mr. Forrow and wife, and myself, started for Columbus, 
and staid at Wanesvilie that night, about fourteen miles. 
He stood the ride well, as air and exercise, when the 
disorder is removed, are as necessary for patients as their 
food. He was persuaded to stay on Thursday. On 
Friday, we travelled to Chariestown, about thirty miles, 
and arrived at Columbus on Sunday about noon. In 
the afternoon, Gov. Trimble paid him a visit, taking 
great interest in his welfare. Mr. Forrow was a noted 
man in the State, being a surveyor and superintendent 
of the Dayton Canal. The governor seemed highly 
pleased at the unexpected recovery of the man, and the 
more particularly when I told him that it was just one 
week that day since I administered to him on a suppos- 
ed dying bed, and that he had since been conveyed 
eighty-six miles in a wagon, and was able to walk about, 
and was clear of disease. He staid at Columbus but 
two days, when he went on with Mr. Howard to Tiffin, 
about as much further, and arrived safe in four days, his 
health still gaining. I staid there with him about four 
days, and then started across the woods to New Haven. 
He paid me twenty-five dollars; but I would not have 
taken the risk again for five hundred. In fact it was 
risking my own life to save his. 

Thus I have given a few prominent items, though but 
a small proportion of my experience, sufferings, perplex- 
ities and difficulties, since the second edition of this 
work was published. But much of that which operated 
to my disadvantage s as an individual, served to extend 
16* 



186 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

the knowledge and practice of the system. This gives 
me consolation in the midst of all my trials; and con- 
sidering the Botanical practice as being now well estab- 
lished, I think it is time for me to retire from the field 
of contest and war with either learned ignorance or legal 
opposition, 

I have collected about three hundred weight of the 
golden seal the year past, and a large quantity of cay- 
enne from the island of Madagascar; nearly three tons. 
I have sent to the southern States nearly twenty bar- 
rels, floured, which is a great help in the agues of that 
country 

And here it is proper to remark, that great impositions 
are practised on what is called the American cayenne. 
The doctors have declared it to be poison, and destruc- 
tive to health, and I think they have made it as bad as 
they have represented it to be. It appears to be mixed 
with some red paint or mineral. When burnt, it leaves 
about two-thirds of the quantity, of the blackest sub- 
stance. When taken inwardly, it produces violent vom- 
iting, and ought to be shunned as a mad dog. Th$re 
is but little or none sold at the groceries for ordinary 
purposes but of this kind. The only safe way to detect 
the poison, is to try it by burning. If it be pure, there 
will be a proportion of ashes as of other vegetables, and 
of a light color; if it be bad, the ashes will not only be 
black, but there will be double, and perhaps triple or 
quadruple the quantity there should be for the quantity 
burnt. 



A brief summary of the Certificates and Statements 
which accompanied the two former editions. 

The system and practice of Dr. Samuel Thomson 
having been so long before the public, and the numer- 
ous certificates given in the two first editions of his 
Narrative being so well known and understood, it is 
thought not expedient to give them here in full ; but only 
the substance of them abridged, and in lieu thereof, to 
add some new and more recent cases. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 187 

Of the cases already published, it is proper to men- 
tion that of the Dysentery, in Jericho, Vermont, in 
October, 1807, where but two out of twenty-two, lived, 
that were under the care of the regular physicians. Dr. 
Thomson was sent for, 130 miles; he arrived in five 
days; in three days, thirty were committed to his care, 
and in eight days, by the use of his medicine, the town 
was cleared of the disease, with the loss of two only, 
who were past cure before he saw them. Testified by 
John Porter. A case of Salt Rheum, of thirty years 
standing, cured in Portsmouth, May, 1813. Certified 
by Elizabeth Marshall. The case of Spotted Fever, 
in Eastham, county of Barnstable, Mass. where upwards 
of forty had died by the 1st of May, and but few lived 
who had the fever. Dr. Thomson was called on for as- 
sistance; sold the right of using his medicine to several 
individuals, who, in one month, relieved upwards of 
thirty who were seized with this violent disease, with 
the loss of but one. At the same time and place, those 
who were attended by the regular physicians, eleven out 
of twelve died. Testified by Philander Shaw, Min- 
ister of Eastham ; Obed Kkowles, one of the Selectmen; 
Samuel Freeman, Do.; Harding Knowles, Justice of 
the Peace, and Joseph Mayo, A^ent for the Society, and 
Post Master. A case of Rheumatism, of long standing, 
and many others, more than twelve of a consumption, 
one of mortification, one of a dropsy, one of numb-palsy, 
and others of divers diseases, testified by Alexander 
Rice, Kittery, Mv. 20, 1821. 

Five cases of consumption, supposed to be desperate, 
were relieved in the course of three weeks, and all of 
them restored to health. A case of the dropsy, consid- 
ered hopeless, was cured in one week. Testified by 
John Burgin, Jerry Burgin, and Solomon Rice, East- 
port, July '20, 1821. The character and respectability 
of the above witnesses are confirmed by J. R. Chad- 
eourne, Justice of Peace. The case of Seth Mason, 
Portland, whose case was truly a desperate one, and his 
recovery exceeded all expectation. Also, the case of 
Mvs. Sally Keating, of the same place, who, after being 
doctored a whole year by the first physician in Portland, 
had been given over as incurable. She was recovered 



] 88 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

to an excellent state of health. Testified by S. Sewell, 
Scarborough, Jan. 1, 1822. Several other similar cases 
are testified by S. Sewell, not necessary to be here par- 
ticularized. A number of cases, several of which, the 
patients were given over as incurable by the regular phy- 
sicians, were all relieved and cured by Dr. Thomson, as 
testified by Jabez True, Elder of the Baptist Church in 
Salisbury, Dec. 5, 1821. 

The case of Elder Bolles was a very extraordinary 
one. He was supposed to be in the very last stage of 
a consumption, and was cured. John Lemmon was 
also cured of a consumption; Isaac Perkins's wife was 
cured of a dropsy of a desperate nature; all of which 
cures are testified by William Raymond, who says, "all 
these cures I was well knowing to, having been done at 
that time;" which statement is also confirmed by Rev. 
E. Williams, not only as it regards Elder Bolles, but 
also as it regards Ezra Lovett, on account of whose 
death, Dr. Thomson was indicted for murder, and tried 
for his life, about a year afterwards; but he was hon- 
orably acquitted, without having an occasion, or even 
an opportunity of making his defence. Mr. Lovett was 
first relieved, then experienced a relapse of his disorder, 
in consequence of taking cold, by walking out some dis- 
tance on a very cold day, in the month of December. 
Dr. Thomson was sent for; but on seeing him, he im- 
mediately expressed doubts of his being able to help 
him. He gave him medicine which had no effect; and 
two respectable physicians were sent for, and came, un- 
der whose care he was twelve hours before he died. Yet 
such was the malice and prejudice of the doctors, that 
they seized upon this case, and tried to make it out 
murder, in order to destroy both Dr. Thomson and his 
practice. 

Next follows a long statement of the diseases and man- 
ner of treatment, by Dr. Thomson's system and direc- 
tions, and the benefit received under the administration 
of his medicine; by Stephen Neal, Esq., of Eliot, 
Maine. A similar statement by John Raitt, of the same 
place, Eliot, Nov. 28, 1821. 

The case of Mary Eaton, which was a dropsy, had 
been pronounced hopeless by a consultation of four doc- 



Of Samuel Thomson. 189 

tors. She continued, however, under the care of Dr. 
Sheppard, until he said her complaint was beyond the 
reach of medicine, and that she could not continue over 
three weeks. At this time, May, 1808, she says, Li I went 
to see Dr. Thomson, and in three weeks I was reduced 
about fifteen inches in bigness. I returned home and have 
gained until this day ; and am now enjoying a better state 
of health than I had before enjoyed for sixteen years." 
(Signed) Mary Eaton, Exeter, Nov. 20, 1821. 

An extraordinary case of Asthma, of Mrs. Hannah 
Coleman, who had applied to six physicians without re- 
ceiving any beneficial effect, by using Dr. Thomson's 
medicine, she was enabled to lay in bed and rest com- 
fortably for twelve years, as testified by her husband, 
Ephraim Coleman, Newington, Dec. 3, 1821. 

A young man in Roxbury, who from some cause un- 
known, had taken ratsbane with the intention of destroy- 
ing himself, was so relieved that the next morning he was 
quite comfortable. Dr. P. who had been called, said there 
was no more chance for him to live than there would be 
if his head were cut off. After he was relieved, Dr. P, 
called to see him and expressed great astonishment that 
he was alive, saying that there was not one case in a 
thousand that a man could live under similar circumstances. 
Testified by Elijah Simons, who administered the medi- 
cine that gave relief, and who says, " I attended him three 
or four days, and he is now so far recovered as to walk 
about the room." Roxbury, Feb. 23, 1821. 

'^Additional Testimony. 

Although there is no real occasion to add any more 
testimony, by way of certificates, yet as my case is more 
recent, and my name may have some weight, I feel it a 
duty I owe to the public, as well as to Dr. Thomson, to 
state it, which I do as editor of the present edition of Dr. 
Thomson's works, 1831. 

I have for many years been opposed to, and latterly 
very much prejudiced against, every thing which savor- 
ed of quackery, which prejudices were greatly strength- 
ened by having once been egregiously imposed upon by 
a quack doctor, (I forbear giving his name for his rela- 



190 Narrative of ike Life, <§*c. 

turns' sake, though he is now not living,) of whom I 
nought the skill, as he said, of curing cancers; but 
which proved to be nothing but a gross imposition on the 
public; hence, after trying the experiment on several, 
without effect, though it would effectually remove tu- 
mors not cancerous, 1 declined the practice altogether, 
lost my trouble, together with what I had paid for the 
skill, besides experiencing the mortification of having 
been thus duped by a man void of principle and moral 
honesty. 

It was under these feelings, that the Thomsonian 
system was first recommended for my daughter who had 
what had been first called a white swelling, then a fever 
sore, but lastly, by Dr. Thomson, a mercury sore, on her 
arm, in the elbow joint, for nearly four years. The 
best encouragement she could get from the regular phy- 
sicians was, either to have it amputated to save life, or 
(which was the advice of Dr. Warren) to lay by entire- 
ly, and not to use it. She thought she should be in a 
manner useless herself, without her arm; for it was her 
right arm, and if she was not to use it, she might lose 
it almost as well as not. Under these impressions, she 
was induced to try the Thomsonian system, under the 
direction of Mrs. Holman. It was soon found to have a 
salutary effect. In a very few weeks it was better than 
it had been before for more than three years. A great 
part of the time, her arm had been so stiff that she could 
not raise her hand to her head. It is now entirely weU> 
and her general health much improved; better than it 
has been for a number of years; for she has been sick 
every few years with fevers, or with what was called the 
liver complaint, ever since she had the typhus fever in 
1812, when she was but a child. The favorable re- 
sult the medicine had on her, softened the prejudices 
very much, which I had, till then, entertained against 
it; though they were not entirely removed, nor was she 
entirely well, when I was attacked with the fever and 
ague, which I considered but a presage to the return of 
the fever I had last fall, which I caught in travelling on 
the Erie Canal, and from which I did but just recover. 
After the second attack with the ague, I was taken down 
with the bilious fever, and was more violently seized 



Of Samuel Tliomson. 191 

than I was last fall ; and had I received the same treat- 
ment which I did then, I have no idea that I could have 
recovered, as my fever at that time run twelve days be- 
fore it formed a crisis; and then it was three weeks after 
that, before I was able to be about. But under the 
Thomsonian system, the crisis was formed in just about 
forty hours from the time I commenced taking the medi- 
cine; at which time I lay, as I have been informed, for 
I could not measure the time, seven or eight hours in an 
entirely unconscious state; after which I tell into a sweet 
sleep, and awoke in the morning free from all fever, and 
have had none since. 

After about ten days, however, the chills returned; 
but without any fever, which I had regularly every other 
day for four or five weeks. To wear out these, I pursu- 
ed the regular course of medicine, every few days, not 
omitting injections, as often as I felt any occasion for 
them, till the chills left me entirely, and I am now happy 
to say that I am not aware that I have any disease about 
me, or that I ever enjoyed better health. All, therefore, 
that my life is now worth to me, and all that I am now 
enjoying, or shall hereafter enjoy, I must impute, in the 
first instance, to the Thomsonian system, together with 
the skill and faithfulness with which it was applied; 
which, it is but justice to say, in the most critical mo- 
ment, the medicine that apparently saved my life, was 
applied by Mrs. Holman ; for although Dr. Thomson had 
been sent for in the night, yet before he arrived the dan- 
ger was in a manner over. 

Whether the relapse I took was in consequence of 
taking cold, or in consequence of the mercury and other 
poisons which I had formerly taken, and from which my 
system was not entirely cleansed, I shall not undertake 
to say; the doctor says, the latter; I have only stated 
the facts as I felt and experienced them; and should it 
be the means of giving others confidence to try the sys- 
tem in the most difficult cases, it will answer the object 
I have in view in thus making them more publicly known. 
It is true, the pain of the disease, or of the operation of 
the medicine, or of both, was at first most excruciating; 
but this did not discourage me from trying it again, when 
I took a relapse; and the operation became more and 



192 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

more mild, as the disease went off, till it was attended 
with but very little inconvenience, 

ABNER KNEELAND. 



IVOTICE. 

I hereby appoint Abner Kneeland, editor of the 
Boston Investigator, Agent, generally, but not exclu- 
sively, throughout the United States, to receive and an- 
swer my letters, to sell the Rights to my Botanical Sys- 
tem of Practice in Medicine, and my Books containing 
a Narrative of my Life and System of Practice, and to 
attend to all matters and things expressed or implied in 
the above agency, especially during my absence, the 
same as I should or could do if present, and the agencies 
of E. G. House and John Locke, are hereby revoked. 

SAMUEL THOMSON. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 

The Subscriber having been appointed Agent for Dr. Sam- 
uel Thomson, as above stared, all letters intended for the Doc- 
tor, may be addressed either to him or to the Subscriber, as all 
the Doctor's letters come into the box of the Investigator, and 
of course into the hands of the Subscriber, who will keep Fam- 
ily Rights, with the Books containing the System of Practice, 
constantly for sale at the Investigator Office ; and who will 
appoint sub-agents, with the advice and consent of the Doc- 
tor, when, and wherever they shall be thought necessary, and 
will also keep the Medicine for sale at the same prices, and as 
low as it can be bought of the Patentee, and the patronage in 
this line, which the public are disposed to give, will be grate- 
fully received by the public's obedient servant, 

ABNER KNEELAND. 



TO THE THIRD EDITION OF THE NARRATIVE, 

Containing some new remarks, which may be pleasing, if not 
profitable, to the reader ; and add to the bigness of the book, 
if not to the stock of knowledge. 



Cultivation of Bees. 

As honey adds to the quality of medicine, as well as 
enriches our food, I think a short treatise on this subject 
may add one particle to the stock of useful knowledge. 

About twenty years of my life, from the age of from 
thirty to fifty years, I attended to the keeping of bees. 
I had a good farm, and used to calculate that the profits 
of a swarm of bees was as much as that of a cow. 

After about fifteen years, I found that there was some 
lack on my part to enable them to be as industrious as 
was their nature and disposition; as it is obvious to 
every person who has paid any attention to the subject, 
as well as to my own observation, that during the heat of 
the summer, and at a time when the white clover is 
mostly in bloom, from which more honey is obtained 
than all the other flowers of the field, that a great part 
of the bees are on the outside of the hive, and are idle. 
I then took the matter into consideration, to ascertain 
the cause why so industrious an insect as the bee should 
be idle in the best part of the season for making honey; 
and I found the fault to be in the owner, not in the 
bees. I had made their hive much too small, being only 
large enough for a quart of bees, when I had put in a 
swarm of nearly half a bushel; so that their hive was 
nearly one third full of bees, and thereby prevented 
them from having room to work. The space which was 
small at first, was soon filled with honey, and the bees 
that had no room were crowded on the outside, to give 
room for the rest. Hence the cause of all this idleness. 
17 



194 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

In the fall of the year, the owner of bees will try the 
weight of his hives, and if in any one he thinks there is 
not honey enough to winter the bees, he will take them 
up, and thus save from five to ten pounds of honey; 
when at the same time, if the owner had made the hive 
large enough, so that all would have had room to work, 
they would have made from fifty to a hundred pounds of 
honey; would have had enough to live on through the 
winter, or, if taken up, would have been a valuable prize 
to the owner. This mode of raising bees is too much 
like the labor of mankind. A few industrious ones la- 
bor, and many lazy or idle ones help eat up all the pro- 
fits; and if any starve, or are taken up, the industrious 
ones suffer as much as any; with mankind, generally 
more. But to remedy this evil with bees, is much easier 
than to remedy it with mankind. 

A few of the last years of my keeping bees, I made 
some improvement, in order to aid and assist this profita- 
ble insect in the making of honey. I did it in the fol- 
lowing manner. Instead of making my hives to hold 
from a bushel to a bushel and a half, I made the first 
to hold three bushels, and put in a swarm from one 
of my small hives, and made my observations. I noticed 
in the summer, that there were no idle bees. In the fall, 
I found it heavy, but not full. .They wintered well. 
The next season, they worked well; but did not swarm. 
This hive did so well, I put a swarm into a four bushel 
hive this season. They worked well until fall, at which 
time I found the other large hive, which had the work 
of two seasons, full. I had previously learned that one 
good hog of eighteen months old, was worth more than 
three shoats at six months old. I concluded to try the 
same rule with the bees. I took up the old hive, and 
took out 160 pounds weight of the handsomest comb I 
ever saw. I followed the same plan witk the other large 
hive, and at eighteen months old, I found that full also. 
I then took it up, and took out two hundred weight of 
honey, equal to the other. In this way I was satisfied 
that by putting a swarm into a large hive every year, and 
have one to take up, was as mnch better than to make 
small hives, as to have one good hog instead of two or 
three shoats. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 195 

I did not try the experiment long enough to know to 
what extent this mode of cultivating bees might be car- 
ried. But I am satisfied that if 1 had kept either of 
those swarms over, after they were full, that I should not 
only have had a swarm from that hive, but that they 
would have tilled one of equal size the first season. 
Then by increasing the size of the hive to that of the 
swarm, and keeping but a few swarms, they may be all 
equaliv good. But be careful not to overstock; for bees 
may be starved in this way as well as other stock. 

I will here relate an anecdote, which may be of use 
to some. At the time of my taking up my first large 
hive, we asked some^ neighbors in, to eat honey. I 
gave away about one hundred weight of honey, with bis- 
cuit and butter answerable. Before the season came 
round, 1 bought a few pounds in presence of one of the 
men who partook most liberally of the bounty. He ask- 
ed, " Have you got rid of all your honey?" I replied, 
"Yes.". " Why," said he, "you should not have been 
such a fool as to have given it all away." Here I made 
a notch in my memory. The next fall I took up my bees, 
and carried honey enough to Walpole, to fetch ten dol- 
lars. This I thought better than to be twitted for giving 
it away. However, in the course of the fall, I was in 
companv with the same man; he asked, "Have you taken 
up your bees?" " Yes," was the answer. He rejoined, 
" Aud did you ask in the neighbors to eat honey?" My 
answer was, " No; I carried it to Walpole and sold it." 
He replied, " Why, they say you are a hog for not ask- 
ing them." I replied, " You have learned me a lesson, 
which I had not thought of; when I gave my honey all 
away, I was a fool; and when I kept it, I was a hog; 
therefore, unless I am a hog at least half of the timfe, I 
cannot live." The conclusion is this. When a man 
begins the world, if he means to escape censure, he must 
observe a proper medium between being a hog and a 
fool, ir the estimation of his neighbors, but if he has any 
thin^f nich to them will be as sweet as honey, he must 
not keep all, nor give all away. 

Qtestion. Why is an industrious man in old age, 
like a hive well filled with honey, in the fall of the 
year ? 



196 Narrative of the Life, fyc< 

Answer. Because all the drone bees who have been 
idle all summer, in time of harvest, wish to eat as 
much honey in winter as those who laid it up. The 
old man, when he comes to be past labor, sees his 
children and grand-children hover round him, to suck 
the honey the old man has earned; and they are very 
apt to inquire of each other how much the old man is 
worth ; begin to try the weight of his iron chest, or where- 
ever he keeps his money, as the owner does his bee 
hives, and say, in a low voice, " Don't you think he has 
about done gaining? I fear he will begin to spend on 
the interest, if not on the capital. Now would be a good 
time to take him up, if it could be done and not expose 
ourselves." But the lesson of Mr. White, in Salem, 
who was taken up for the same purpose, will be a hard 
lesson to all such, during the present generation at least. 
What then is best to be done ? I know of no better way 
than to let old people live as long as they can, and let 
them be as comfortable as they can, while they live; for 
notwithstanding the natural disposition of men, general- 
ly, is nearly the same, the risk in taking up old men pre- 
maturely, like taking up bees for the sake of their honey, 
is much greater than the risk that they will live, natural- 
ly, to spend all their earnings. 

Every thing is in motion; all our hopes are in pros- 
pect, moving onward, nothing backward. The inquiry 
is, " How much will father leave for us?" not "what shall 
we do for our parents?" Hence it is wisdom, if a man 
has it, to keep enough in his own hands, for his own 
wants, and not to rely too much on the goodness of any 
one, even his own children. 



When to set Fruit Trees, and lose no growth. 

About the middle of October, trees have generally 
done growing for that season; yet they are still green 
and full of leaves. Taken up at this time, which is the 
most proper time, they will become well rooted before 
spring. It will be necessary to cut round and take up 
as much dirt as you conveniently can, and set the root 
well down in the ground, and pack it close, so that the 



Of Samuel Thomson. 197 

wind will not shake them. A stake may be useful until 
they become well rooted. If the weather is dry, they 
should be watered often, for a few days. As soon as 
they will stand all day, without wilting, they are out of 
danger. They will get so rooted before spring, as to 
lose no growth; but will grow just as well as though they 
had not been moved. They are the most sure, if set 
when small. 



Bad Consequences of Stoves in Tight Rooms. 

I visited a friend in Vermont, whose daughter was 
unwell; her bed was near a large stove in the kitchen, 
where the work of the house was done. While the 
doors were frequently opened, during the day, there ap- 
peared no bad effects from the dry air; but at evening, 
when the house was shut, the young woman grew much 
distressed, and about ten o'clock, she had a violent con- 
vulsion fit, and continued at intervals through the night. 
I was satisfied that the stove was the cause, or the dry 
air from it; but I could not convince the family that 
such was the fact. I tried to have her removed out of 
the room, and I succeeded in the course of the day. 
Her senses were gone, and her recollection did not re- 
turn for some days. The cause I attribute to the water 
being dried out of the air, and her glands grew dry by 
inhaling the dry gas. In a healthy state we throw ofF 
moisture with the breath, and inhale as much more from 
the atmosphere. This keeps the lungs refreshed with 
moisture. When they grow dry, it causes fits. 

I will here name another case, for further illustration 
or proof of this supposition. Mr. John M. Williams, of 
Baltimore, had a child taken sick about three o'clock in 
the morning. They got up, made a fire in the stove in 
the kitchen, and after administering to the child, put it 
in the cradle near the stove. They then proceeded to 
prepare their breakfast, and when it was ready, I came 
into the room, in which I could scarcely get my breath, 
it was so warm. All set round the table. The child in 
the cradle began to groan at every breath, and after con- 
tinuing so for a short space, went into a convulsion fit, 
17* 



198 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

The family were much alarmed. I told them the fit was 
caused by the stove. I opened the door, the child 
was carried to it, the cry was, what shall ice do! T told 
them to give it some of the 3d preparation. They tried 
to give it; but they spilled it in the bosom, as the jaws of 
the child were set. I told them to give me a spoon. I 
put my finger between the cheek and teeth, and poured 
in the liquid, and crowded it back to the throat, which 
let the jaws loose, and the child swallowed enough to 
make it vomit. The fit was off, and I ordered it into my 
chamber, where was" a fire. It had no more fits. I fol- 
lowed it with medicine, and carried it through that fore- 
noon. The senses of the child did not return till noon. 
The next day it was well. So efficacious was the course 
pursued. One of the neighbors said that he was glad 
the case happened; not on account of the child, but for 
the benefit of all present; for if I had not been there, 
they would not have known the cause of the fit. Had the 
child remained in the room, the probability is, it would 
not have lived till noon. And the cause being unknown, 
no remedy would have been known for others in a simi- 
lar predicament. 

There are similar cases from burning charcoal in a 
tight room, in which case, it sometimes happens that no 
sensible effect is experienced, till the senses of the per- 
son affected is gone. Others coming into the room, 
persons have been often found dead or senseless. As 
this is most generally the effect, it makes these cases the 
more alarming; and people ought to be more careful 
against such exposures. Men who work in furnaces in 
cold weather, and who often drink too much ardent spir- 
its, and then crawl away under the roof, to find a warm 
place, have often suffered the same consequences by 
stupor or death. 

Not many years ago, I was informed that in the hos- 
pital, the doctors had kept the rooms for the sick, to a 
certain warmth, by stoves, regulated by the thermome- 
ter, so that one sick person should have the same heat as 
another. This would not answer for all, even in a state 
of health. This plan, as I understand, did not succeed. 
The patients died very fast, insomuch that the disorder 
was called the plague. They might have truly said, 



Of Samuel Thomson. 199 

perhaps, the plague of the doctors! I understand that 
they have pulled down all their stoves, and substituted 
fire places, from which time the plague, of the stoves if 
you please, "was stayed." And should the plague of 
the poisons, and the bleeding, be stayed also, the people 
would have a greater cause for rejoicing than the Rus- 
sians had at the defeat of Bonaparte, at the burning of 
Moscow. And should the fatal practice of bleeding and 
poison cease, and the people die with old age, the only 
cause of death, casualties excepted, naturally incident to 
man, then would death have a greater respite than it has 
had since the time the great butcher, Sydenham, first in- 
troduced the murderous practice of bleeding into the 
world. A certain writer says, iC During the course of 
one hundred years, more died by the lancet alone, than 
all who perished by war in the same period." Another 
writer says, " The lancet has slain more than the sword, 
and mercury, more than powder and ball." 



Value of Guards and Sentinels in War or Peace, and the 
danger of their Signals being neglected. 

Guards and sentinels have been the principals of safety 
ever since human beings learned the art of war; and it 
is to this art of safety we are probably indebted for our 
independence. By this means was the treachery of Ar- 
nold detected, and the plots of our enemies defeated. 
And even in time of peace, when the enemy is either 
conquered or driven out, forts and breast works are still 
necessary, that they may be in readiness in time of war. 

One of the greatest sentinels who has been set to 
guard the welfare of trws nation, was Thomas Jefferson, 
who erected a permanent fort in the constitution, against 
the clergy and the church and state party, who, were 
they not sufficiently guarded, would bring the people of 
this country, as they have done in other countries, under 
religious bondage. Another sentinel has recently dis- 
tinguished himself, in defending the fort of Jefferson 
against the church and state party, armed with their Sun- 
day mail petitions. This sentinel is Col. R. M. Johnson, 
armed with the constitution of equal rights. 



200 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

Many useful lessons may be learned from the Scrip- 
tures; not excepting the Apocrypha; where we find 
some, to say the least, which are as useful as any other 
parts. For this purpose I would refer the reader to the 
13th chapter of Judith. 

In this chapter may be found the result of silencing 
the guard, and sentinels, whereby through the deceit and 
influence of one woman, the destruction of a whole army, 
of about 160,000 soldiers, was effected. No other pos- 
sible means could have subdued them. See the ac- 
count. 

I have referred to this chapter, to show what incalcu- 
lable mischief may arise from such neglect; with a view 
at the same time to awaken the people from their drow- 
siness, and to arouse them to double their diligence in 
placing their guards and sentinels, or else stand them- 
selves, to guard their rights and liberties, which are in as 
much danger of being destroyed ultimately, if not so 
speedily, as the great army under Holifernes, was, but 
a short time previous to their destruction. And yet the 
people seem to rest as safely as did the army to which I 
have just alluded. 

There is a power and influence as much to be guard- 
ed against now, as there was then, and the vigilance of 
all our guards will not be more than sufficient to protect 
the people. Let them watch the secret workings of our 
enemies; especially those who appear as friends to our 
faces, and see what they are about in the dark. Re- 
member the light sayings and dark doings of Judith. 
While the army thought they were in safety, sudden de- 
struction came upon them. 

Look! See the rapid strides of the clergy!! Behold 
all their secret working among the women and children 
of our land!!! And the men have no sentinels to guard 
themselves. I think we never had more need to be on 
our guard than at the present time. As with the priest, 
so with the doctor; the people are crammed with the 
poison doctrines of the one, and the poison drugs of the 
other, without giving them any chance to examine and 
taste for themselves. The priest crams them with his 
own ignorance and superstition; and the effects are de- 
lirium and suicide. The doctor crams them with his 



Of Samuel Thomson. 201 

poison; and the effects are pains, lingering sickness, and 
death. When dead, the doctor often takes the whole, 
or nearly the whole, of the little property remaining; 
and the widow and orphans become subjects of the poor- 
house, or go out as servants. The question is, who is 
to be blamed? All, all are to be blamed. The priest, 
the doctor, and the lawyer, for deceiving the people; 
and the people, for being deceived by them. But what 
must now be the remedy? Where it is not too late, the 
remedy must be the same as it should have been in the 
first place. Bufr see. 

Let us inquire, in the first place, what are the senti- 
nels, both external and internal, which nature has placed 
to guard the body from injury? And how are these sen- 
tinels displayed? We will suppose the danger is first 
perceived by a certain sound, or some trifling noise. 
This, of course, is first perceived by the ear, which says, 
"Eyes, look!" The call is instantly obeyed; and if 
there appears to be danger, and flight is thought to be 
the best mode of escape, the whole body is summoned, 
and says, "Legs, carry me off as fast as you can." These 
order? are obeyed as regularly as though a general gave 
the command. The senses of seeing, hearing, tasting 
and smelling, are the sentinels; which, with the nerves 
and muscles, constitute the whole army, cither for de- 
fence or retreat; and they are subject to the command 
of each other. 

The sentinels of the internal structure, or those which 
are to judge of what is to be swallowed, begin with the 
eye; and if it be pleasant to the eye, it passes to the 
nose, the next sentinel; if the pass be right, that is, if 
the flavor be agreeable, it goes to the taste; where, if 
nothing disagreeable is perceived, it is carried from the 
tongue to the swallow. Here are two roads, the one to 
convey the food to the stomach, the other to convey the 
air to the lungs; the business of the sentinel here, is 5 
to prevent either from taking the wrong road; for should 
either, and especially the food, take the wrong road, it 
is thrown back with a great explosion. When the food 
is received into the stomach, it undergoes a general in- 
spection. If any thing treasonous, that is, uncongenial 
to health, is found in it, an uneasiness is almost the im- 



202 Narrative of the Life, 8$c. 

mediate consequence, perhaps pain and sickness, and it 
is often sent back without consulting any of the guards 
or sentinels; for it is general orders. And if the gen- 
eral gives orders for any to pass or re-pass, without being 
hailed by the sentinels, such orders must be obeyed. 
And if the general loses his head, and thereby his whole 
army is defeated, it is no fault of the guards and senti- 
nels, as in the case of Judith and Holifernes. 

Nature has placed all the guards and sentinels in the 
body, which are necessary for its safety -and protection 
and the mind is so constituted, that it is .capable of judg- 
ing of all the signals which these sentinels give; but the 
devil, which is only another name for imposture and 
fraud, that is, learned ignorance, falsehood and art, are 
always at variance with simple and natural principles; 
the same as honesty and dishonesty are opposed to each 
other. Now, of what use is such reasoning to the peo- 
ple? None, until they can be brought back to a simple 
state of na.ure. Here the devil, or false learning, under 
the name of doctor, with his elegant cloak and powder- 
ed head, comes in and upsets the whole system of plain 
simple truth, and introduces his learned falsehood. Tells 
the people that those sentinels which nature has set in 
the body are all false; learning is the only true guide; 
and urges them to throw by all their natural ideas, and 
hear to learning, popular customs and fashions; and 
then they will be respected by the popular classes; that 
is, by the doctor, minister and lawyer, and the great 
dons around whom those learned professions fawn, and 
whom they like to flatter. Pay us, and we will attend to 
your most important concerns. Attend to your labor 
in building our houses, and making our rich clothing and 
furniture; cultivate the soil; raise the fatted calf, the 
poultry, and the flour, to feed us; and we will pray for 
your souls, doctor your bodies, and make your wills. 
You must not attempt to do any of these things for your- 
selves, for you have not sufficient learning. 

Now, look, fellow laborers, and see to what a condi- 
tion these three learned crafts have brought you at the 
present day. The learned doctor has knocked down all 
your natural sentinels, and has passed the poison down 
your throats as though it was as innocent as breast-milk 



Of Samuel Thomson. 203 

is for the infant, until you are dying off like swarms of 
rats, and with the same poison. Then, in addition to 
the poison, he draws out your blood, to cure, as does the 
butcher the blood of the beast, to kill; and which often 
produces the same effect. This is what you have gain- 
ed by suffering the doctors to*knock down all your na- 
tural sentinels, and to substitute learned fools whose 
senses are below the grade of the beast. When the 
beast tries his food, by the sentinels of the eye and nose, 
he is never deceived. Nature always tells the truth. 
And when wild beasts go according to the dictates of 
nature, they are more successful in raising their offspring 
than are mankind in raising theirs by art. For the 
beasts will neither eat poison themselves, nor force it 
down the throats of their offspring. But mankind, by 
the prejudice of false learning, will both eat poison them- 
selves, and force it down the throats of their children, 
till they by this means execute death upon them in their 
own arms. This is done by giving wine poisoned with 
antimony, or the tartrite of antimony, called tartar- 
emetic. So much is mankind reduced below the grade 
of the beast by the force of education. Were parents 
to take a lesson from a child two years old, and abide by 
it, it would be of greater use to the rising generation 
than all that ever came from the college by the three 
crafts I have named. It will be remembered that a 
child of two years old is troubled and makes a mourn- 
ful complaint at the sight of blood, from the slightest 
wound, even if he feels no smart from it ; or when taken 
by a doctor from another. His senses tell him that there 
is something wrong in it, and applies to those whom he 
thinks his friends, to remedy the evil. The child is not 
only afraid of the blood, but also of the doctor who 
takes it. Should parents from this lesson, learn to keep 
the doctor away, and to keep the blood in the body, 
where it belongs, for the preservation of life and health, 
for the space of one hundred years, then visit the grave- 
yard, and examine the monuments of the dead, and see 
if three-fourths of the inhabitants died under thirty years 
of age; this, I think, would strike conviction to the de- 
luded world. 



204 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

I return to my text. The sentinels of life and preser- 
vation, as before mentioned, in the brute animals, never 
deceive them. There is none found dead by poison, 
either accidental or done on purgose. Their sentinels 
have been true to them. Not so among the dupes of 
learned ignorance, where they allow their sentinels to 
be knocked down by the doctor, and poison to be cram- 
med down their throats; for unless the general govern- 
ment of the stomach should so condemn his prescrip- 
tions as to throw the poison back in spite of him, the 
patient must suffer; his sufferings may be long, but gen- 
erally fatal; and his body will be carried out by the sex- 
ton, in a coffin, as was the head of Holifernes, in the 
bag, by Judith. Neither is this the greatest evil, caused 
by these artificial monsters in human shape. How often 
do we see our children sacrificed by being born artifi- 
cially, instead of naturally ? aided by the pincers of the 
assassin, instead of the skillful hand of the midwife. All 
their art, is to force nature, instead of assisting her. 
These are some of the effects of learning which termi- 
nate in death. But there are others never to be forgot- 
ten. Cripples and invalids, dragging out a miserable 
life, reduced almost to a state of starvation, for those 
who survive their unnatural practice. Besides a tribute 
of twenty dollars for destroying the comfort of a wife 
and the life of a child ! Yet the eyes of the people are 
blinded by the sound of the word learning, and learned 
doctor; and doubly blinded by the priest, or the parson, 
who will clear the doctor from all blame, by saying, "the 
Lord gave, and the Lord," not the doctor, "hath taken 
away, and blessed," not cursed, "be the name of the 
Lord." Had the priest declared, as often as it was really 
the case, that in all probability the poison, bleeding and 
blistering, had killed the patient, the doctor-craft would 
have been dead more than a thousand years ago. 

Were it possible for mankind to be brought back to 
his proper grade, that of other animals, and at the same 
time to exercise all their natural faculties, and have their 
sentinels which have been knocked down by the doctor 
restored, so as to be as good as those of the beasts, so 
that the sentinel of the eye and nose would regulate 
their food and medicine, and prevent any poison being 



Of Samuel Thomson. 205 

taken either by themselves or their children, for four 
generations, the people, I think, would improve in stature 
and vigor, and become "mighty men of renown;' 5 such 
as we read of in olden times, before the poison doctors 
had destroyed the natural senses of our race; or at least, 
so perverted them that they cease to be subservient to 
their natural use. But, on the contrary, should the 
hood-win:ring system be continued, and the people con- 
tinue to degenerate, in every sense of the word, so far 
as their health and bodily faculties are concerned, for 
four generations to come, as they have for two genera- 
tions past, they will become more like a race of monkeys 
than like human beings. 

From this source of poisons may be traced those 
hereditary a id family consumptions we hear so often men- 
tioned. 1? traced back, it will be found that the family 
consumption began with the family doctor; and so it 
will continue as long as you employ one. A treatise on 
the family doetor may be found on page 175, of this work. 
The family consumption was made with those families 
to whom the doctor gave the fever when he spread it 
through the village. Those who did not die, were left 
worse than dead. The poison left in the system caused 
them to linger out a miserable life in pain and torment; 
and the doctor gets clear by stating that they have all died 
with the family consumption. If you wish to keep clear 
of a family consumption, keep clear of a family doctor. 

The priest is equally guilty of knocking down the 
sentinels of the mind and understanding, as the doctor 
is of knocking down the external and internal sentinels 
of the body. Death, in many instances is the effect of 
both. Bleeding and poison on the one hand, and insan- 
ity and suicide on the other. Both of them cause a 
grievous tax on the people; and the lawyer sweeps the 
board in collecting their bills and his fees. 

Thus I have shown in part, the evils arising from giv- 
ing up the guards and sentinels of the laboring class of 
the community, and substituting the three crafts to watch 
over them, and to "eat them that are fed, and clothe 
themselves with their wool; but they feed not the flock." 
They call themselves "shepherds;" but they are "wolves 
in sheep's clothing," 
18 



206 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

Why meat will not putrefy in very hot, or very 
cold climates. 

Meat will not putrefy in Arabia, nor in South America, 
nor at the North or South Poles. Where the climate is 
so hot as almost to roast meat, it will not putrefy, as in 
Africa or South America. Where the sand will roast 
an egg in fifteen minutes, there the carcases dry up, 
and do not rot. So, on the North or South Poles, where 
every thing is frozen, there is no putrefaction. But half 
way between freezing and roasting, there is putrefac- 
tion. Much beef is dried on the sand in Brazils, with- 
out any salt, and used at sea as fresh beef. The cause 
why meat will not putrefy in either very hot, or very cold 
climates, as I apprehend, is, the water evaporates in the 
one case, and congeals to ice in the other, so suddenly, 
that the meat has no chance to decompose, as in either 
case it becomes hard. 

The myrrh from Africa, is better than from Turkey 
or Russia, as the climate is steadily hot, and the myrrh 
is of a more spicy smell, and is much more powerful 
against all mortifications and putrid sores than that from 
the Straits; and is of a much higher price. There 
being no trade up the rivers, to the interior part of the 
country, all that is to be had, is brought by the Arabs 
to Mora or Madagascar. The cayenne from Madagas- 
car is better than that from the West Indies, as it is 
more steady in its operation, and better against putre- 
faction; and is not fluctuating from a calm to a hurri- 
cane, as is that from the West Indies. The latter, often 
so frightens the people who take it, especially in a cold 
state of the body, that they never dare to take any more. 
It is seldom the case with that from Africa. 

Beware of the American, which is manufactured, and 
colored. It is poisoned, as I have remarked elsewhere. 

Proposals for a revolution in the practice of 
medicine. 

People have paid doctors for being sick, for about four 
thousand years. Let them now turn about, and pay for 
their health, which is much more reasonable. Let the 



Of Samuel Thomson. 207 

doctor enter into contract with the head of a family, to 
keep the family in health, for a certain sum, for each 
member of the family, for one year; conditioned that for 
each day's sickness in the family, by any member thereof, 
the doctor shall forfeit twenty-five cents, to be deducted 
from the sum agreed upon. Hence all the account there 
is to be kept, is, the number of days of sickness there is 
in the family, in order to know what amount there is to 
be deducted from the sum agreed upon. And to prevent 
any imposition on the doctor, by the family, any one 
saying, "I am sick," to save twenty-five cents; the doctor 
must be called, and they must go through a regular course 
of medicine, or else not have any allowance made for their 
sickness. But if they comply, the doctor must not only 
attend them for nothing, finding his own medicine, but 
also pay them twenty-five cents for every day they are 
sick; to be deducted at the end of the year, from his 
salary. Were this plan generally adopted, it would save 
nine-tenths of all the sickness of our country. 



Numbpalsy. 

In looking over my Narrative and Guide to Health, I 
find that this disease has been overlooked, and not treat- 
ed upon. I carried the view in my mind, that I had re- 
corded the case of my daughter, which happened about 
twenty years ago; and the omission was not discovered 
till it was too late to insert it in its proper place. I shall, 
therefore, give it a place here. 

While I was at Portsmouth, I do not recollect now ex- 
actly the year, I received a letter from home, that my 
daughter, then about twenty years of age, was sick and 
her life despaired of. I obtained and took with me a 
bottle of the best pepper-sauce. When I arrived, she 
appeared to be dying, and had so appeared, as they said, 
for some days. Her eyes were set; and she breathed 
like one in the last struggles of life. I was advised to 
do nothing for her. I thought it would do no harm to 
try the pepper-vinegar. I therefore poured a spoonful 
of it in her mouth, as it was open. In about two min- 
utes she opened and moved her eyes. I then gave her 
another spoonful, which was swallowed. In about the 



208 Narrative of the Life, Sec. 

space often minutes, she spoke, and said she had had a 
shock of the numbpalsy. This was the first idea we 
had of the kind. After awaking like a person frcm 
sleep, or nearly dead, she gave a history of its begin- 
ning and progress to the then present time. She said 
the shock struck one half of the body and limbs, and 
half of the tongue, insensible of feeling; like that caus- 
ed by a knock of the elbow. All one side was full of a 
prickling sensation, attended at first with heavy and se- 
vere pain; the pain relaxed, however, as the side dead- 
ened, and entirely ceased with the feelings; and all that 
side remained dead, as to sensation, till the pepper-eauce 
was given. This brought back the pain and prickling 
as at the commencement, until all paits had beccme 
equalized. I think I carried her through several courses 
of medicine in usual form, until the system became clear 
of obstruction, and the digestive powers restored. She 
soon recovered, with no other disadvantage than that of 
the side which received the shock continuing weaker 
and more subject to cold than the other. She has had 
two or three of those shocks since. Eut by having the 
medicine in the family, and by the assistance of the 
neighbors who have the right, she has been always soon 
relieved, so as not to be confined but a few days. I saw 
her last fall. She has now no trouble frcm the com- 
plaint, except that above mentioned. She has a family 
of six children, and has done the greatest part towards 
their support by practising abroad, under my system, and 
by my finding her with medicines and rights to sell. She 
has relieved many of the same complaint. 

I have given a history of this case, only on account 
of the name. Had the same case appeared without any 
name, the treatment under the head of fits, drowned 
persons, and all suspended animation would have an- 
swered. The third preparation is the first resort; then 
a full course of medicine, rigorously pursued, in propor- 
tion to the deadliuess or violence of the disease, until 
life becomes equalized through the body. The whole 
of the directions above given, is simply this: A thorough 
course of medicine, administered with the best articles; 
emetic seed, cayenne, drops, nerve powder, and bay- 
berry, or No. 3. 



0/ Samuel Thomson. 209 

Fever must have its course. 

How consoling must these words be from the health- 
restoring physician, to his suffering patient, who wishes 
to know how long he must undergo those torturing ad- 
ministrations of poisonous physic, salivation, loss of teeth, 
together with bleeding and blistering! The doctor tells 
him that he does not know; perhaps nine days; some 
fevers run longer than others; and it must have its 
course! I have known a rich man's fever run a hundred 
days, when a poor man's fever would turn in ten days. 
The inflammatory fever, or hot fever, will soon come to 
its height, unless checked with small doses of calomel, 
opium, nitre, &c. which tend to prolong it. With these 
applications, the fever may be continued longer or short- 
er, as the money of the patient holds out. 

Sometimes, before one fever turns, another will set in, 
until they have the whole list, thirty-seven and upwards. 
But the patient will be likely to die before he has had 
half of the above number of fevers. By this you may 
see that the doctor does not pretend to know any thing 
how long you will be sick, or whether you will live or 
die. Who, I would ask, has not heard part, if not all, 
of the above statements, made by the doctor to his pa- 
tients, and yet not feel insulted at all ? 

Suppose you went to a landlord to doctor your hunger, 
and the landlord should tell you that your hunger must 
run from nine to a hundred days, would you not be dis- 
posed to cuff his ears for the insult? But is it not as 
much of an insult for the doctor to tell you that your 
fever must have its run, as for the landlord to tell you 
that your hunger must have its run? It would be so 
considered, if the people only knew that a fever can be 
relieved as certainly, and almost as speedily, as hunger. 
In either case, it would be, as it is with the doctor, a 
plain confession that they have no remedy. Then why 
should the doctor continue his visits for a fee, any more 
than the landlord when he has no food? One is as much 
entitled to pick the pockets of his employers as the other. 
How long must custom and superstition become a law to 
ignorance and credulity? 
18* 



210 Narrative of the Life, Sec. 

A Remarkable Vision. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The following Vision was seen and published in a 
hand-bill form, in March, 1817, in consequence of the 
coldness of the summer previous, which caused great 
mortality, especially among women in child-bed delivery, 
in a town adjoining this city. Thirteen women died, as 
I understood, in this condition, in about six weeks; for 
I heard of none out of this number that survived. This 
mortality caused me great distress of mind, knowing the 
cause of their deaths, and having no means to give the 
alarm to the people, as all the presses at that time were 
shut against me. I, however, could not remain silent. 
I found a man who had a few old types, and I interceded 
with him to print in hand-bill form, two thousand copies 
of the following Dream or Vision; a great many copies 
of which were distributed in said town. The distribu- 
tion took place before the break of day, lest the people 
should rind out the writer, and, owing to their prejudices, 
it should fail of having the desired effect. This strata- 
gem operated like a charm, being dreamed into the mind, 
and no other possible means in my power cculd have ef- 
fected so desirable an object; because, in the morning, 
the people were seen, like the manna eaters, gathering 
each one for himself, where they were mostly scattered, 
being at the doctors, ministers, lawyers, merchants, li- 
braries, and reading-rooms. This wonderful production 
was seized upon as eagerly as was the manna of former 
times, and was read and then carried to their neighbors, 
and to their great surprise, like as the first born being 
slain, they found the same there. This unexpected mes- 
sage, being thus rained down among them, caused much 
inquiry among the husbands and friends of the victims, 
who anxiously desired a manifestation of the cause. 
When rinding to their satisfaction that it was the medi- 
cme, in combination with the cold, which caused this 
mortality, then the destroying angel put up his deadly 
weapon-, (mercury, arsenic, antimony, opium and ni- 
tre.) and sheathed the sword of destruction, (lancet, knife 
and forceps.") and the fatality from that time ceased. 
And there was great joy among the inhabitants of the 



Of Samuel Thomson, 211 

earth, at the success of the Dream, which was headed 
as follows: 

A remarkable Vision, seen in the Nineteenth Century, and 
published for the benefit of all ivho believe it a reality. 

While in silent repose upon my bed, my mind was 
greatly agitated by a voice, which, in my dream, I heard 
saying, "Poor wretched inhabitants of a free country! 
Boasting of Religion, Medical knowledge and wisdom !" 
And 1 thought myself awake, and said, what is the cause 
of their wretchedness? As I spake, turning my eyes, I 
saw by my bed-side, a man clothed in a long white gar- 
ment. I thought I said to him, who are you? He re- 
plied, " I am Deception." I then said, why do yo-u give 
yourself this odious name? He replied, "White de- 
notes Purity, Innocence, and a Promoter of Health. 

I then asked him what he was in reality; his reply was, 
"I am Death under the name of Life; or Evil, under 
the name of Good." I then asked him to appear to me 
without any cover or disguise; this he did, by throwing 
off his white robe; all was blackness and darkness. I 
then asked him what he represented; he said "Death! 
and many of my victims you have known, and others you 
have lately heard of, and will continue to hear of them, 
until this mineral practice is changed. Many have I de- 
stroyed with my deadly weapons, some within a lew days 
or hours." 

After hearing all this. I asked him if he was a reality 
or not. He replied, " I am only the representative of 
many." This led me to inquire what he represented; 
to which he replied, " I shall call no names," and then 
showed me two pill bags, and said, " These, and what 
is inscribed on them, will teach you why I am Death 
under the name of Life, and why I kill under the name 
of preserving life." I then asked him what he meant 
by that inscription; he replied, "I mean those deadly 
weapons contained in the bags; the names of which are, 
according to the best of my recollection, Arsenic, Mercu- 
ry, Quinine, Opium, Nitre, Lancet, and Knife." 

He then added, " These instruments of death are used 
under the pretence of curing diseases, or promoting life; 
and the men who use them, you know have been the 



212 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 

cause of the death of those who were so suddenly taken 
from their friends and all they held dear on earth." 

Having heard all this, I asked why he revealed this 
secret to me and not to another? He replied, u because 
I know you are able to write the particulars which are 
related to you." He added, ' 'do not fail to publish what 
I have related; not only in this town, but in every di- 
rection; for this business of killing, under the name of 
healing, has gone far, and is going farther; for many 
have great wrath, because they think their time is short. 
Every thing which has been done here, and in other 
places, adapted to relieve the sick with the medicine of 
our country, which nature has so bountifully furnished, 
all these things have been despised, and those who kill 
others, cry, Poison! Poison! Kill! Kill! 

I asked him why they cried out in this manner, when 
so few died who used the medicine of our own country, 
and when so many fell under their deadly weapons? He 
replied, "you remember what I first stated; they will 
talk of pity, if one is likely to be cured, that they may 
kill him themselves. It is not strange for the eagle to 
cry death to birds, when the dove is among them, though 
he would gladly devour the dove with the other birds, 
were it in his power." 

In my dream, I thought the one who spake to me, said, 
u I enjoin it on you to direct the people of the country, 
to keep in their libraries and reading rooms, three books* 
in use among those who use deadly weapons, viz.: The 
New American Dispensatory, The Medical Dictionary, 
and The Medical Pocketbook." 

"Lest you or any other may not happen to find what 
is said in the Dispensatory, concerning these deadly 
weapons, I now repeat a few words written there." He 
then handed me the following, page 285. Of Nitre, it is 
said, This powerful salt, when inadvertantly taken in too 
large quantities, is one of the most fatal poisons. Page 
288, Oxid of arsenic is one of the most sudden and violent 
poisons we are acquainted with. The lancet we know the 
use of, and also mercury, which is called medicine, 
though poisonous. 

* The first book shows how to prepare medicine; the second 
explains the dead languages; the third directs how much medi- 
cine or ooisor *o give. 



Of Samuel Thomson. 213 

As these are so, how can people expect to be profiited 
by such articles as are acknowledged the most deadly 
poison, though used as medicine, in the most difficult 
cases? Alter quoting these things from the Dispensato- 
ry, and making the above remarks, I thought that he 
said, " Do not tail to put them in mind of 'this important 
question; What will become of your souls another dayl 
You must die as well as other men, and how can you 
answer for the lives of those poor people who have died 
in consequence of taking poison from your hands, under 
the name of healing medicine; while you have despised 
the medicines which might have relieved them; and es- 
pecially when you did it for filthy lucre?" When he had 
said these words, he vanished, and I awoke, and behold 
it was a dream. 

Fearing I might forget these things, I arose immedi- 
ately, and wrote down the vision according to my recol- 
lection; and, as soon as possible, found the books men- 
tioned, and to my great astonishment, found every word 
in the Dispensatory, which had been related to me. 

The Dream, and what I found in the Dispensatory, 
caused some serious reflections in my mind. I said thus 
to myself; If arsenic, mercury, and nitre, are in their na- 
ture poison, can they in the hands of a physician, be 
medicine? If, when taken by accident, these things 
kill, will they cure when given designedly? Does not 
mercury go to the same part of a man when taken by 
accident, as when given by the doctor? Surely it does; 
of course it will be poison, and be injurious whenever it 
is taken. 

These things are communicated to the public, that 
they may judge of them according to the evidence given 
of their being; true or not. 



214 Narrative of the Life, fyc. 



To rouse the attention of the public to the alarm of 
what is called the Cholera, and for other purposes of 
general utility, I issued one thousand copies of the fol- 
lowing 

CIRCULAR. 

T7NITED STATES BOTANIC CONVENTION. 

At the request of a great number of the Agents of Dr. 
Samuel Thomson, and others friendly to the Thomson- 
ian System of Practice in Medicine; by the recommen- 
dation of the general Agents in Ohio, and the approba- 
tion of Dr. Thomson himself, a United States Botanic 
Convention will be held at Columbus, Ohio, on the third 
MONDAY of December next, and the succeeding days 
until the business of the Convention shall be accomplish- 
ed; at which time and place all the Friendly Botanic 
Societies throughout the United States, are requested to 
send, at their own expense, a delegate or delegates to 
represent them in said Convention. And where it is not 
convenient to send delegates, or, on account of distance, 
it would be too expensive, they are requested to send by 
letter, post paid, directed to Messrs. Pike, Platt & Co, 
Columbus. Ohio, all such information as to the success 
of the practice, in what cases, and whether in any which 
were supposed curable it has failed; what improvements, 
if any, have been supposed to be made, and the test of 
such improvements; the various certificates which may 
have been published, printed copies sent as above; and 
generally all such knowledge as will be useful to be 
brought before said Convention; the whole object being 
to establish the System on a firm and permanent basis; 
to raise it above suspicion; to convince the world by its 
salutary efficacy of its practical utility; to carry its 
knowledge, if possible, into every family; and to cause 
the whole community to understand that they no more 
need what is called learning and skill, which too often is 
little less nor more than learned quackery, to teach them 
how to restore their body to health when sick, than they 
do to preserve its strength by proper food when in health. 
To this end, the doings of this Convention will be made 



Of Samuel Thomson. 215 

public, and all concerned may rest assured that no pains 
will be spared to give them all the information that forty 
years experience, yea, a long life spent in the service, 
can possibly furnish. It is expected that Dr. Samuel 
Thomson will attend in person. 

ICJ^The above named Convention was formed agree- 
ably to the notice given, and has been annually attend- 
ed ever since; and practitioners in all parts of the Union 
have sprung up, who have quieted the alarm not only of 
Cholera, but also in relation to every other disease. The 
following was added to the Circular: 

N.B Cholera Has not this disease, under vari- 
ous names, appeared in all parts and in all ages of the 
world? Such as diarrhoea, flux, dysentery, camp dis- 
temper, cholera morbus, cold plague, spotted fever, and 
now simply the cholera? These all produce death either 
in themselves or by the antidote usually applied; though 
the disease may put on a milder or more malignant type. 
Is not every tree which produces apples, an apple tree? 
Some are later than others, but all ripen in their proper 
season. But the fruit may be shaken off, either by a 
tempest or by a giant, at any time from blossom to fully 
ripe. [Pause.] Is not a gill of brandy and two hundred 
drops of laudanum a giant sufficient to shake all the fruit 
from the tree of life? [Five eholera deaths in Eliot 
Street in one day!] No simple remedies appear in the 
columns of the public prints!!! And why? Not because 
there have been no cases cured; for they are numerous, 
which can be attested by many witnesses. But the peo- 
ple are blind to their own safety, and must abide the con- 
sequences. It is a fact, that the friends and survivors 
of those who died with the cholera, from Eliot Street, 
have been to Thompson's Infirmary to ask protection for 
their lives. If any doubt it, let them go to the Infirmary 
and inquire. An author quoted by Dr. Robinson, Lec- 
ture viii. p. 101, says, "The practice of Medicine is, 
Eerhaps, the only instance in which a man can profit by 
is own blunders and mistakes. The very medicines 
which aggravate and protract the malady," (one gill of 
brandy and two hundrd drops of laudanum!!!) " bind a 
laurel on the Professor's brow; when, at last, the sick 



216 Narrative of the Life, $$c. 

is saved by the living powers of nature struggling against 
death and the physician. " The friends or the present 
practice in the cases of cholera, say, it was expected 
that the patients would nearly all die at first. What 
would be said of a landlord who, having undertaken to 
cure your hunger, should say that he expected that 
nearly all his boarders would starve to death at first? 
Would not all the people leave him, and even consider 
him an impostor? Who, let it be asked, would like to 
be taken forcibly out of his own house and placed under 
the care of such a landlord — doctor, if you please ? Bas- 
tiles are Bastiles, and Inquisitions are Inquisitions, un- 
der whatever pretence people are thrust into them. And 
if a class of men shall be permitted to stamp the mark 
(not of the Apocalyptical beast, but) of the Cholera, up- 
on whom they please, and have them removed to their 
house of dissection, wherein does it differ from the Bas~ 
tile in France, the Inquisition in Spain, or the resurrec- 
tion of the old witchcraft in America? 

Had the Board of Health of this and other cities pre- 
vented any poison of the Doctor, or tainted meat of the 
Butcher, from being taken into the stomach, by any of 
the inhabitants, under the penalty of five dollars, to those 
who should administer the one, or deal out the other, 
and as strictly have adhered to this law, as they have to 
the sauce law of our market, would so many peoplo have 
died with the remedy for the cholera? 

Could the doctor and priest have frightened the peo- 
ple so much at the name of the cholera had they known 
that the names of medicine and disease were altered 
every ten years, the better to impose on the credulity of 
the inhabitants, whereby so many names for the same 
disorder appear ? 

Had the people known that camphor in a bag around 
a child's neck, to prevent cholera, would produce fits 
and death, if eaten, would the doctors have made so great 
a speculation in this article, when the remedy itself was 
disorder? [Shall we strain at the gate and swallow the 
saw-mill?] Why should the sauce-man be fined five 
dollars for bringing sauce into the market in its natural 
state? Can bringing turnips with tops, peas in the pod, 
or corn in the husk, cause the vegetables so to make 



Of Samuel Thomson, 217 

war with themselves, in coming to market, as to make 
one part support life, and the other produce cholera and 
death? 

Has not the name — cholera, been made u&e of both in 
this and other countries, for a speculation, thereby to 
enable the priest and the doctor to monopolize the influ- 
ence of power over the people, and by the prayers of 
the one and poison of the otiier, to keep the people in 
awe? If so, it is to be hoped that the eyes of the public 
may be soon opened to these glaring facts, that our fel- 
low citizens may no longer die with fright at imaginary 
evils, much less with the remedy for the cholera; for peo- 
ple are beginning to be " disgusted with all learned 
quackery," such as drawing out the natural blood, 
"which is the life," and filling the veins with "saline 
fluid," or artificial blood, in which is seen the effect of 
learned ignorance, which is death. Is there any pro- 
fessor of any art or science who cannot do something of 
what he professes except a learned doctor?!! 



THE PRACTICE OP PHTTSZO 

AND THE 

PRACTICE OP MEDICINE* 



The two practices of Physic and Medicine, as abore 
noticed, I shall treat under two distinct heads, and treat 
them in the order I have stated, paying my first respects to 

THE PRACTICE OP PHYSIC 

This is what is scientifically called the depletive (or 
reductive) system. To elucidate this practice, I will 
call the attention of the reader to the first stages of sick- 
ness; whatever name the sickness may be called, or 
whether the patient be male or female, the same deplc- 
19 



%13 Practice of Physic, 

live practice is introduced; such -as bleeding, blistering 
and purging with poweriul physic, such as calomel and 
jalap. Then conies the laudanum to check the opera- 
tion and stupify the patient, and all this is to ease the 
distress caused by the physic. Then the doctor contin- 
ues with small doses ot calomel, opium, nitre and cam- 
phor, until the patient is fixed out with whe.t is called the 
run of a fever. To these depletive instruments of death, 
the patient is compelled to submit; all his natural senti- 
nels [senses] being knocked down by the doctor's death- 
maul [depletion]; and. the patient's Iriends, who ought 
to be protectors, become completely stunned, and made 
nearly as senseless as the patient, by the name of learn- 
ing, and " the learned doctor;" thus mankind are cheat- 
ed out of their reason, and their senses are often reduc- 
ed below those of a brute. 

Instead of driving the doctor out of the house and 
throwing his poison physic after him, the friends, in their 
delirium, will assist the doctor in administering those in- 
struments of death, till the patient, the nurse, and per- 
haps the whole family, have fallen victims, one after an- 
other; the grave becomes the receptacle of the bodies; 
and the doctor comes into the possession of the, whole 
estate as his exclusive and legal right; for, it must be 
observed, our laws are such, that the expense of the last 
sickness and funeral charges must be paid first, to the 
exclusion of all other debts. 

In all sweeping sicknesses, such as the cholera for in- 
stance, when the people are allowed and recommended 
to keep the instruments of death in their pockets, such 
as one gill of brandy, two hundred drops of laudanum 
and sixty grains of calomel, how long will it take for all 
such dupes to be dead, and these legal speculators in 
physic to be in possession of all or at least the greater 
portion of their wealth? What difference does it make 
what the plague or pestilence is called, when the cause 
is physic, and the meaning is money ? — the doctors want 
money and must have it. Remember the cry of the . 
cholera. This, in my opinion, was a scheme of the doc- 
tors to dupe the people, and to give the physic dealers 
power o.ver them, grounded on the authority of the city. 

These doctors, &c. are styled a board of health, (not 



Practice of Physic. 219 

of death,) notwithstanding their cholera patients all or 
nearly all died; yes, died with cholera (alias physic.) 

For farther proof that the object, in a great measure,, 
was wrong, recollect the fifty thousand dollars granted 
by the city to the board of health (so called), to cleanse 
the city, provide hospitals, and give the cholera a decent 
reception. 

Another scheme to collect money from the people by 
these dealers in physic, was to make them believe that 
the cholera could be prevented, but not cured. By this 
means they contrived to empty all their old drugs from 
the apothecary shops into the pockets, of the people, 
whereby they rilled their own with the precious metals, 
gleaning a little from every one weak enough to be 
a dupe to their horrid speculations. In this way 
the game is played; the blind lead the blind, and all 
fall into the ditch together, till the grave is full and 
running over, as at New Orleans, and as probably would 
have been the case in this city had not the cholera gun 
been discovered, and the ammunition with which it was 
charged, (viz: lancet, mercury, opium, nitre, camphor, 
blisters, saline fluid, &c.) together with Dr. W.'s pre- 
scription as a preventive [of life] until a physic dealer 
could be obtained; so that if the preventive did not an- 
swer the purpose [of death] the doctor would. 

Now, reader, just take a general survey of the calam- 
ities of the world. The condition of a great portion of 
mankind is truly deplorable, and has been ever since the 
healiug art was lost, and the plants and herbs of the field 
and forest ceased to be used as medicine; and since poi- 
son minerals- of the rankest dye were substituted in their 
stead by Paracelsus, who in consequence was called a 
hater of mankind. Dr. Robinson says, " Paracelsus gave 
the tartrite of antimony, because it burnt up the stomach 
and lungs like hell fire." If this expression be true, I 
think it sufficient to prove the truth of his being a hater 
of mankind. In addition to this physic dealer and hater 
of mankind, comes Sydenham, who introduced bleeding 
to cure disease. These two plagues being joined in 
matrimony, against the life and health of mankind, I 
think, have caused the greatest plagues that ever infest- 
ed the earth. The writer says that after Sydenham in- 



£20 Practice of Physic. 

trod weed bleeding into the practice of physic, in the 
space of one hundred years, " more died with the lancet 
alone, than all that perished by war in that time." Stop, 
reader, and reflect for a moment ; and say to thyself, 
can any being be so destitute of common sense, except 
a learned fool, as to believe that the same practice that 
will kill a well hog would cure a sick man; or that that 
practice which will cure a sick man, would kill a well 
rat ? For example ; when the doctor comes to cure a 
sick man, he bleeds him. When a butcher comes to 
kill a well hog, he bleeds him. When a farmer wishes 
to kill a well i;at, he poisons him. W^hen the doctor 
comes to cure a sick man, he poisons him. Could any 
one believe that a learned doctor ever possessed a hu- 
man body, when he sees him take, the same method to 
cure a sick man, that the butcher takes to kill a well 
hog; and also when he takes the same method to cure a 
sick man, that the farmer takes to kill his well rats? And 
what adds further to our astonishment, is, to see those 
human butchers climb on law legs to take the little pro- 
perty from the orphan children for butchering their pa- 
rent! Can any one wonder at their seeing their need of 
law legs, when their mal-practice is seen in all its naked 
deformity? Sad dilemma! Has their boasted scientific 
knowledge of four thousand years come to such a rotten 
and crumbling condition as to need the prop of the law 
to support it in its last dying moments? Farewell 
physic ! 

Thus, by what I have written, the reader will have 
some faint conception of my views of the practice of phy- 
sic; that it is the beginning of sickness and a train of 
accumulated evils, ending in poverty, misery and un- 
timely death. In consequence of the foregoing practice 
of physic, well might we exclaim as did the wise man, 
" Thou fool, why shouldest thou die before thy time?" Be- 
cause, like the foolish Galatians, they were bewitched 
by, and ran after, the name learning, and a learned doc- 
tor, and have suffered all their natural sentinels to be 
knocked down, and the poison to be swallowed, without 
being allowed to examine or taste for themselves, until 
they are swept off like rats; and that, too, before the 
meridian of life, by the physic of the doctor, and th® 



Practice of Physic. 221 

malice of those who kill them with poison according to 
law; and at the same time, it is evident that the doctors 
believe the botanic practice to be the best in the world, 
as the following particulars will show. 

1. They do not allow that any patients ought to die, 
under the botanic practice. This is proof that they be- 
lieve it far preferable to their mineral practice. 

2. When the dealers in physic can get no relief from 
their own poison practice, they will flee for refuge to the 
botanic practice. 

These two witnesses are sufficient to establish the 
fact, viz: that they do believe the botanic practice to be 
far preferable to their own. The extraordinary cures by 
the botanic practice they cannot deny. 

I have every reason to believe, that three persons 
have been poisoned by design, viz: Mr. Hill, of Surry, 
who died instantly while going through a course of the 
Thomsonian medicine; the blood discharged from his 
mouth, nose and ears; he turned as black as morocco, 
and swelled out of all natural form; and was so mortified 
that the skin was slipping off before he was buried. 
The friends are satisfied that there was abominable ini- 
quity in this case to destroy the botanic practice. The 
second case was that of Mrs. Wheelock, of Swansey, 
who was evidently poisoned to death eleven .days after 
Dr. Wright left her. The third case was that of my own 
■daughter, at Washington, N. H., a few days after her 
confinement. She was taken to all appearance like Dr. 
Frost's account of Mrs. 'Wheelock. He says, <; She ap- 
peared to be strongly under the influence of a deadly 
narcotic poison, and fast sinking into the arms of death. " 
In this condition was my daughter about the first day of 
February, 1835. She was not expected to have lived 
the day out. She was senseless and her eyes set, and 
appeared in the last struggles of life. She just survived 
the aimed fatal blow, and a shocking salivation followed. 
She lost the use of her limbs; her teeth turned black and 
crumbled out. She was cured by a strict attention to 
several courses of my medicine. 

ICjP [For Practice of Medicine, and also the "Core^ 
fD&irsjON" to the Narrative, see the "Guide to Health.'*] 
19* 



INDEX 
To the Narrative of Samuel Thomson, 



Page, 
ACORNS, Red Oak, use .... 36 

Ague and Fever Theory and Cure, - - - 59 

Allegory, - - - - - - 210 

BLEEDING, a view ©fit ns injurious, - - - 31 

Bleeding of the lungs, practice, - - - 47 

Bleeding of thanose, cure, piactice, -..-'* - - 74 

Bleeding of the stomach, the patient had been bled 42 times 
in two years — Theory of cure- — Important observations 
on blood, circulation and bleeding, - - 91 

Bruised and mashed foot, cured in five weeks, a very bad case, 113 
Bleeding in Yellow Fever, observations on, - - - 125 

Butternut bark, use of, an important ense in Diarrhoea, 129 

Botanic Society, advantages of membership, - - 147 

Botanic Practice, the reason of opposition to, - - 168 

, A nuraber of gentlemen, eminent for their 

scientific researches, have become advocates in the cause, 168 

— } its extent in New York State, - - ]74 

, f its spread in the Southern and Western States, 181 

-, the Faculty meanly attempted to ruin it, 



and to establish it themselves, - - - 181 

^the extent of it through the Union and Canada, 183 

Bees, information, - - - - - 193 

Bath, Jennings's, views of, - - ' - - 169 

Bleeding, why injurious in preventing perspiration, - 31 

Bilious Fever, success of the Botanic Practice, • - 46 

COMFREY and Turpentine Plaster, use important - 20 

Cut, practice in, - - - - - 20 

Child-birth, Dr. Thomson's wife's situation, 25 

Canker of the eye, first use of steam-bath in, - - 29 

Croup, Dr. Thomson's first practice, cured by Rattlesnake oil, 30 
Colds, first stages, use of May-weed, - - - 31 

Golds, practice in, ----- 32 

Children, duty of parents to instruct them in medical practice, 32 
Oholic, cured, Mrs. Redding, - - - 36 

Cnoiic, cured, Mrs. Weiherby, - - - 37 

Capsicum, No. 2 and No. 3, use explained, - - 44 

Oancer relieved, after fashionable practice had been unsuc- 
cessful, ------ 47 

Checkerberry and Hemlock, use in Dropsy, - -48 

Convulsion Fits, cured, ----- 51 

Circular, United States Botanic Convention, - - 214 



Index to the Narrative. 223 

Cancer cured in three weeks, after having been tortured 

with caustics, ----- 52 

Cut of the hand, a bad case, cured in 10 days, after being 

nearly ruined by Dr. French, 61 

Convulsions, bad, cured, theory and practice, important, - 62 
Consumption cured, - - - - 65,71,72 

Consumption, cure, important, from the previous use of 

Sugar of Lead, - 86 

Consumption in the last stage cured, after the doctors had 

left the patient as incurable, ... 88,89 

Consumption and stricture of the lungs — important case in 
consequence of internal heat not holding more than 6 
hours, - - - - - - - 90 

Cancer cured, - 91 

Consumption, five desperate cases, nil relieved in three 

weeks, June 1811, and all alive 1831, - - - IMS 

Cancer, use of Pipsisway, in the case of Gen. Varnum's lady, 142 
Cypress is called Poplar, and Poplar is called Quaking Asp 

in Washington, D. C. - _ - - - 142 

Contagion, to prevent, from disease of patient, by those in 

attendance upon the sick, - 145 

College, Reformed, of the pirates of medical practice in N. 

York, and also Worthington, Ohio, : - 18*2 

Cayenne, important test of its purity and goodness, - - 186 

Certificates and statements of disease cured, - - 187 

Convulsions and fits from being confined in a tight room 

with a stove, - - - - 197 

Charcoal, burning in a tight room, why pernicious, - 19S 

Clergy and Doctors, the injury the community at large receives 

from their conduct and practice, - 200 

Cayenne, taken internally to remove external pain, - 150 

Consumption and hereditary disease traced to their source, 

the Family Doctor, ----- 205 

Cayenne, important views of and observations on, - - 20r> 

DISEASE of the eves, first use of the steam bath, . - 29 

Decline, cured, - - 39 

Decline, relieved after the fashionable practice had been un- 
successful, ------ 47 

Dysentery cured, - - - - - - 52 

Drowned persons, observations on - - - 58 

Dysentery, twenty-eight cases cured, - - 63 

Dysentery, theory and practice, .... 64 

Dysentery, preventive from taking, important, - - 64 

Dropsy cured, - - - - - - 72 

Dropsy, theory of, - - - - 73 

Dysentery, 15 out of 18 cases cured, 83 

Dropsy, cured, - - - - - 90 

Dropsy, cured in one week, ... - 115 

Drop-y and a state of Pregnancy cured and delivered in five 

days, and all well, ----- 123 

Drink proper to take during the operation of medicine, see 
Spotted Fever, - • - 144 



224 Index to the Narrative, 

Diarrhoea, important case, use of Butternut bark - 329 

Disease, to prevent infection from patient, practice, . 145 

Dropsy, a case considered incurable, was so much swollen as 

to be blind, and body and limbs in proportion, . 149 

Doloreux Tic, cure, ..... 149 

Dysentery, injections of the greatest importance, . 150 

Disease, Farrow's case, important from, the practice, . 184 

Diseases cured, certificates and statements, . . 187 

Doctors, the injury \ke community at large receives from their 

conduct and practice, .... 200 

Dropsy, cured in a week after mercurial treatment had failed, 

which nearlv proved fatal, 48 

EMPIRICS, what and who, . . . . .9 

Eyes, disease o 1 ', first use of steam bath, cure, practice, . 29 

FASHIONABLE Doctors, their course of study ,&c. . 6 

Faculty, the candor of some, . ... . 8 

Fever, case of a woman's situation from poisonous medicine, '21 
Family Doctor, the imposition of, ... 26 

Fever, Puerperal, cure, practice, . . . . . 33 

Fashionable practice, the folly of, . . 37 

Fever and decline cured after a crurse of mercury had failed, 39 
Fashionable Doctors, just views of, ... 41 

Fever, observations on. important, . . . .45 

Fever, a friend and not an enemy, ... 45 

Fever, Bilious, at Alstead, success of Botanic practice, . 46 

Fever, Puerperal, cured after fashionable practice had been un- 
successful, . . . , . .47 
Fever, bilious, cure, practice, . 49 
Fever, two cas s, cured in twenty-four hours, . . 49 
Fits, convulsion, cured, . . . . 51 
Fever, Yellow, theory ' f , . . . . .56 
Fever, Yellow, interview wiih Dr Miller and the Mayor of New 

York on the subject of this disease, . . .56 

Fever, Yellow, cure practice, .... 57 

Food, putrid, just views of, . . . . . 5S 

Fever, turn of, explained ..... 57 

Fever, Yellow, cure and practice, cured in 24 hours . . 57 

Fever, observations on . . . . . 58 

Food, salt and fresh, . . . , .58 

Fever and a^rue, theory and cure .... 59 

Fits, convulsion, cured, theory and practice . . .62 

, Fever, can be turned in from'l2 to 48 hours . . 66 

Fever, bilious, cure, practice _. . , . .79 

$ ever, spotted, symptoms, cold -and senseles, practice and cure 

in twenty-four hours, important, two cases . . 92 

i ever, typhus, cure, practice . " . . 87 

Foot, bruised and mashed, practice, cured in five weeks, .113 
Jever, Yellow, bleeding in. just views of and observation 125 
£ever, spotted, cure and praetice. important, . . 128 

frozen hands and feet, a verv bad case . .139 

* rozen limbs, theory and practice, very important . . 149 

££ver, spotted, practice, important . . * 143 



Index to the Narrative. 225 

Fever, spotted, practice of importance, drink, &e. . . 144 

Fever, spotted, practice of 34 cases in two weeks . 146 

Fever, spotted, injections of great importance, . . H6 

Family doctor and his practice . . . 175 

Faculty, their attempt to ruin the Botanie practice, &c. . 181 

Fits, convulsion, in consequence of stoves in tight rooms 197 

Food, why it will not putnfy in very hot or cold climates . 206 

Fever must have its course, &c. reason assigned . . 209 

GOLD THREAD or Yellow root, use in practice . . 3p 

Gout, cure, practice "^ 

Gout completely relieved in twenty-four hours . r 82 

HEMLOCK and checkerberry, use in Dropsy . . 48 

Head, scald, or Tinea cipiiis, cured in three weeks . 77 

Heit, inward and outward, &c. . . .84 

Heat, intern il, important case 90 

Hands and feet frozen, a very bad case, practice . . 139 

Heat, inward and outward inversion thereof, important 1-56 

Head, scald, . . . . . - } G $ 

Hereditary diseases traced to their source, the family doctor 205 

INFECTION from patient, to prevent, practice . ■ 145 

Injecli >ns of great importance in fevers . . . 146 

Itch, cure, practice ; 143 

Injections of great importance in practice . ♦ 149 

Injection- of the greatest importance in Dysentery . . low 

JENNINGS S Bath, views of .... 169 

LOBELIA, first discovered by Dr. Thomson . . 16 
Lobelia, effects on boys ..... 

Lobelia, a certain counter poison .... 

Lobelia, description, its value and use . . .16 
Lobelia, Thomson's experience, ; . .1-7 

Lobelia, Df Thomson's first idea of its medical virtues . 27 

Lobelia, second use with success . . . ,36 

Lobelia, operation explained, also Nos. 2 and 3 explained 44 

Lungs, bleeding of, cure and practice . . .47 

Love powder, a good story .... 53 

Lungs, suffusion, cured in 14 hours . . . .60 

Lungs, consumption, &c. . .... 90 

Lungs, stricture of, important case . . . .90 

Law respecting the practice of medicine . , 104 

Lameness, unable to walk for nine months, cured . . 130 

Limbs, frozen, theory and practice very important . 140 

Lobelia, the operation of, important in rheumat sm . . 151 

Laudanum, taken to destroy life, cured in one hour . 152 

Lectures on Botanic medicine and practice,. Robinson's, . 183 
Lobelia, 3d preparation, practice with important observations 208 

MEDICAL FACULTY, &c . . . . . 5 

Medical, regular faculty, their bad success in practice . 6 

Medicine, enough grows in our country . . .7 

Measles and ihe effect thereof .... 24 

Midwifery, Dr Thomson's inducement to attend to the practice 25 

Mayweed, use and practice in the first stages of co!ds . 31 
Medical practice, the duty of parents to instruct their chiUren 32 



226 



Index to the Narrative. 



Medical advice, first application to Dr Thomson 

Medical practice, important and just observations on 

Meases, cured ; 

Measles, the nature of, discovered 

Mashed foot cured in five weeks 

Medicine, a course of, proper drink during the operat'on 

Mercurial disease, opinion when steaming is indispensable 

Medical practitioners in Pennsylvania and New York, &c. 

Myrrh, important views of and observations on 

Medical practice, proposals lor a revolution of 

Marshrosemnry, use 

Medicine, Dr barton's acknowledgment 

NETTLE RASH, theory, practice, cure, important 

Nose, bleeding of, practice, cure 

Nose, ulcer on, a bad case and cured in three months 

Nurnbpalsy, important case, practice, cure 

Nitre taken in quantity, practice to overcome, &c. 

OPIUM, taken to destroy life, practice and cure 

Opium, difficult to remove, see Farrow's case . 

PHYSICIANS and their practice 

Poisonous Drugs, caution to the public 

Poison, counter, a certain cure 

Parturition, the unfortunate practice of the doctors 

Practice, old, injudicious 

Puerperal Fever, practice, cure 

Pox, small, practice, cure . 

Puerperal Fever, relieved after fashionable practice, &C. 

Putrid food, just viuws of 

Pepper, observations! on 

Physic, none to be given in the Botanic practice 

Perspiration .... 

Patent of Botanic practice 

Pregnancy and dropsy, cured and delivered in five days 

Poison, effects on the system 

Pipsisway, a case of cancer cured, Gen. Varnum's lady 

Prevent infection from patient, important 

Poplar and cypress, names in different places . 

Pain, external, removed and practice important 

Philosophy why meat will not putrify, &c. 

Palsy, important case, practice and euro . 

Practice of' medicine, a revolution proposed 

Parents, the duty of, to instruct their children in med. pr, 

Practice of Physic and Medicine 

QUACKS and empirics, who are and what . 

Quack, who is 

Quinsy, important, practice, cured in two hours 

RASH, cure, practice 

Rattlesnake oil, use . 

Rash, cured .... 

Remarkable case of a woman cured, who was bedridden lOyrs. 

Rheumatism cured . . C5, 73, 150, 151, 1 

Rickets cured 



Index to the Narrative. 



227 



Rheumatism, arm useless, cured in four weeks 

SLEEPINESS, an extraordinary case 

Steam bath, first use of for career of the eyes 

Steaming, important directions on the subject 

Small pox cured . 

Steaming, improvement in 

Steaming, observations on . 

Sumach, observations on 

Sprain, o" months standing, cured in ten days 

St. Anthony's fire, theory, practice, cure, important 



150 
21 
29 

30 
36 
46 

49 
63 
65 
70 



Syphiliis, one case of 1 and another of 5 years standing, cured 73 
Syphiliis, cure and practice . , .74 

Scald-head cured in three weeks . . .77 

Syphiliis, important case in consequence of mercury . 77 

Stomach, bleeding of, case, observations on . .91 

Steaming, important, observations on . , 144 

Steaming, when indispensable in mercurial disease , . 156 

Sumach berries, important, . . . ]43 

Scrofula, practice, cure and success of Thomson . „ 169 

St. Anthony 's fire, practice, cure, . . . 169 

Scald head cure . . . . , JG9 

Stoves, bad consequences of in tight rooms . , 197 

Steam, never, in a tight room ...» 197 
Stoves in Hospital, effects therefrom . . . 193 

THOMSONS Theory, &c. . . . .8 

Thomson's success in his practice . . .9 

Thomson's system of practice . ♦ . .10 

Thomson's system, advantages thereof ' , \\ 

Thomson, life and account of .... 13 
Thomson's birth, parentage and state of country at the time 14 
Thomson's childhood and stale of medical practice at the time 16 
Thomson's first instructions from Mrs. Benton . 15 

Thomson's hardships in early life I . .17 

Thomson sick, effect on his mind . . . 13 

Thomson called Doctor at 8 years of age . . .18 

Thomson, his father, religious views . m 19 

Thomson's removal to Vermont „ . .19 

Thomson's hardships, injury from cut, injudicious treatment 20 
Thomson's sufferings and amputation recommended „ 21 

Thomson's arrival in New Hampshire, situation at 21 years 22 
Thomson's first attempt to doctor himself . . 24 

Thomson's marriage, . . .24 

Thomson's inducement to attend to the practice of midwifery 25 
Thomson's wife's situation in child birth . . 25 

Thomson's experience in the use and value of plants . 27 

Thomson's situation at 25 and his lesson in law . ' 28 

Thomson's daughter ill with rash . . .28 

Thomson's firstuse of the Steam bath . .29 

Thomson's first practice in croup . , .30 

Thomson, first application to for medical advice . * 33 

Thomson discovered the nature of measles . . 36 

Thomson's reasons for practising medicine . . 40 



£28 Index to the Narrative. 

Thomson, the malice of fashionable doctors towards . 42 

Thomson's theory explained and established . . 43 

Thomson's practice in disease and ievers . . 45 

Thomson lost not one patient in 4 or 5 years practice . 55 

Thomson's theory explained . . . .81 

Thomson, indicted for murder . . .95 

Thomson's sufferings in jail . . , .95 

Thomson's honorable acquittal . . . 105 

Thomson is treated with great ingratitude ". . 120 

Thomson's Patent. &c. . . . .122 

Thomson and Dr Thornton . . . . 123 

Thomson's interview with Drs Rush and Barton . 124 

Thomson, conduct of the Faculty towards him . .. 131 

Thomson's enemies, base means to injure his practice . 138 

Thomson's cypress and poplar, different names . . 142 

Thomson's drudgery in establishing his practice . 147 
Thomson's patronage to Elias Smith, ..... 157 

Thomson's system of practice, extension of . . 167 

Thomson's success owing to his own merit . . 168 

Thomson's losses, ingratitude of those he had benefitted 170 

Thomson's system of practice, its utility proved . • 172 

Thomson, Dr Cyrus, his success in practice . . 174 

Thomson's difficulties with his agents . . . 177 

Thomson's interview with Gov. Trimble of Ohio . 182 

Thomson's success in forty years practice . . 169 
Turpentine and comfrey plaster, use in wounds and strains 20 

Tic Doloreux, practice and cure in two hours . . 149 

Tight rooms and stoves, bad consequences of, . 197 

Tetter, practice, cure . . . .169 

ULCER, seven years' standing, cured in 5 months . ti2 

Ulcer on the nose, cured in 3 months, important . . 129 

"WOUND, bad, of the hand, cured in ten days . 60 

Whitlaw's, practice in Europe, observations on . .169 
Waterhouse. Dr. Professor of Materia Medica, Cambridge, 172 

VISION, an allegory . . . . 210 

Yellow root or Gold Thread, use . . .36 



j&jC 



NEW 



4 > 



GUIDE TO HEALTH; 



OR 



BOTANIC FAMI£°ST FHYSICI&W. 

CONTAINING 

A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF PRACTICE, 
ON A PLAN ENTIRELY NEW : 

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLES MADS 

USE OF, AND DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND 

ADMINISTERING THEM, TO CURE DISEASE, 

TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
OP 

SEVERAL CASES OF DISEASE, 

ATTENDED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH THE 
MODE OF TREATMENT AND CURE 



BTBT SAMUEL THOMSON,, 

BOSTON: 

Printed for the Author, and sold by his General Agenfcj &i 
the Office of the Boston Investigator. 

J. Q. Adams, Printer. 

1835, 



&*M&vfe^L 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1835, by Samuel Thomson, in the Clerk's Office of 
the District Court of Massachusetts. 



TO THE PUBLIC 



The preparing the following work for the press has 
been a task of much difficulty and labor; for to com- 
prise in a short compass, and to convey a correct under- 
standing of the subject, from such a mass of materials 
as I have been enabled to collect by thirty years practice, 
is a business of no small magnitude. The plan that has 
been adopted I thought the best to give a correct knowl- 
edge of my system of practice; and am confident that 
the descriptions and directions are sufficiently explained 
to be understood by all those who take an interest in this 
important subject. Much more might have been writ- 
ten; but the main object has been to confine it to the 
practice, and nothing more is stated of the theory, than 
what was necessary to give a general knowledge of the 
system. If any errors should be discovered, it is hoped 
that they will be viewed with candor; for in first pub- 
lishing a work, such things are to be expected; but 
much care has been taken that there should be no error, 
which would cause any mistake in the practice, or pre- 
paring the medicine. 

Many persons are practising by my system, who are 
in the habit of pretending that they have made great 
improvements, and in some instances, it is well known 
that poisonous drugs have been made use of under the 
name of my medicine, which has counteracted its opera- 
tion, and thereby tended to destroy the confidence of 
the public in my system of practice; this has never been 
authorized by me. The public are therefore cautioned 



4 % AGREEMENT, 

against such conduct, and all those who are well dispos- 
ed towards my system, are desired to lend their aid in 
exposing all such dishonest practices, in order that jus- 
tice may be done. Those who possess this work, may, 
by examining it, be able to detect any improper de- 
viations therefrom; and they are assured that any prac- 
tice which is not conformable to the directions given, 
and does not agree with the principles herein laid 
down, is unauthorized by me. 

[N.B In all places where "thirty years practice" is 

ineniio7ied or alluded to, it means at the time the work was 
first published, in 1822.] 



The Subscriber, who is the discoverer and proprietor 
of the system of medical practice contained in this work, 
agrees to give, whenever applied to, any information, 
that shall be necessary to give a complete understanding 
of the obtaining, preparing and using all such vegetables 
as are made use of in said system, to all those who pur- 
chase the right; and the purchasers, in consideration of 
the above information, and also what is contained in this 
book, agree in the spirit of mutual interest and honor, 
riot to reveal any part of said information, to any person ? 
except those who purchase the right, to the injury of the 
proprietor, under the penalty of forfeiting their word and 
honor, and all right to the use of the medicine. And 
every person who purchases the right, is to be consider- 
ed a member of the Friendly Eotanic Society, and enti- 
tled to a free intercourse with the members for informa- 
tion and friendly assistance. 

SAMUEL. THOMSON, 



NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; 



iB©tfi4isra» w&mimz mmt&wm&M* 



INTRODUCTION. 

There are three things which have in a greater or 
less degree, called the attention of men, viz: Religion, 
Government, and Medicine. In ages past, these things 
were thought by millions to belong to three classes of 
men, Priests, Lawyers and Physicians. The Priests held 
the things of religion in their own hands, and brought 
the people to their terms; kept the Scriptures in the 
dead languages, so that the common people could not 
read them. Those days of darkness are done away; 
the Scriptures are translated into our own language, and 
each one is taught to read for himself. Government was 
once considered as belonging to a few, who thought 
themselves " born only to rule." The common people 
have now become acquainted with the great secret of 
government, and know that "all men are born free and 
equal," and that Magistrates are put in authority, or out, 
by the voice of the people, who choose them for their 
public servants. 

While these, and many other things are brought where 
"common people" can understand them; the knowl- 
edge and use of medicine, is in a great measure conceal-, 
ed in a dead language, and a sick man is often obliged 
to risk his life, where he would not risk a dollar; and 
should the apothecary or his apprentice make a mistake, 



6 New Guide to Health; 

the sick man cannot correct it, and thus is exposed to 
receive an instrument of death, instead of that which 
would restore him to health had he known good medicine, 

" It may be alleged," said Dr. Buchan, " that laying 
medicine more open to mankind, would lessen their faith 
in it. This indeed would be the case with regard to 
some; but it would have a quite contrary effect upon 
others. I know many people who have the utmost dread 
and horror of every thing prescribed by a physician, who 
will, nevertheless, very readily take a medicine which 
they know, and whose qualities they are in some measure 
acquainted with.' 1 

"Nothing ever can, or will inspire mankind with an 
absolute confidence in physicians, but by their being 
open, frank, and undisguised in their behavior." 

"The most effectual way to destroy quackery in any 
art or science, is to diffuse the knowledge of it among 
mankind. Did physicians write their prescriptions in 
the common language of the country, and explain their 
intentions to the patient, as far as he cculd understand 
them, it would enable them to know when the medicine 
had the desired effect; would inspire him with absolute 
confidence in the physician; and would make him dread 
and detest every man who pretended to cram a secret 
medicine or poison down his throat." 

It is true, that much of what is at this day called med- 
icine, is deadly poison; and were people to know what 
is offered them of this kind, they would absolutely re- 
fuse ever to receive it as a medicine. This I have long 
seen and known to be true; and have labored hard for 
many years to convince them of the evils that attend 
such a mode of procedure with the sick; and have turn- 
ed my attention to those medicines that, grow in our own 
country, which Nature has prepared for the benefit of 
mankind. Long has a general medicine been sought 
fbr, and I am confident I have found such as are uni- 
versally applicable in all cases of disease, and which 
may be used with safety and success, in the hands of the 
people. 

After thirty years study, and repeated successful trials 
of the medicinal vegetables of our own country, in all 
the diseases incident to our climate: I can with well 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 7 

grounded assurance, recommend my system of practice 
and medicines to the public, as salutary and efficacious. 

Great discoveries and improvements have been made 
in various arts and sciences since the first settlement of 
our country, while its medicines have been very much 
neglected. As these medicines, suited to every disease, 
grow spontaneously upon our own soil; as they are bet- 
ter adapted to the constitution; as the price of imported 
drugs is very high; it follows, whether we consult health 
which is of primary importance, or expense, a decide^ 
preference should be given to the former, as an object 
of such magnitude as no longer to be neglected. Yet 
in the introduction of those medicines I have been vio- 
lently opposed, and my theory and practice condemned, 
notwithstanding the demonstrative proofs in their favor. 
But, those who thus condemn, have taken no pains to 
throw off prejudice, and examine the subject with can- 
dor and impartiality. Such as have, are thoroughly sat- 
isfied of their utility and superior excellence. 

From those who measure a man's understanding and 
ability to be beneficial to his fellow men only from the 
acquisition he has made in literature from books; from 
such as are governed by outward appearance, and who 
will not stoop to examine a system on the ground of its 
intrinsic merit, I expect not encouragement, but opposi- 
tion. But this will not discourage me. I consider the 
discovery I have made, of inestimable value to mankind, 
and intended for the great benefit of those who are will- 
ing to receive it. 

Being born in a new country, at that time almost a 
howling wilderness, my advantages for an education were 
very small; but possessing a natural gift for examining 
the things of Nature, my mind was left entirely free to 
follow that inclination, by inquiring into the meaning of 
the great variety of objects around me. 

Possessing a body like other men, I was led to inquire 
into the nature of the component parts of what man is 
made. I found him composed of the four elements — 
Earth, Water, Air and Fire. The earth and water, I 
found were the solids; the air and fire the fluids. The 
two first I found to be the component parts; the two 
last kept him in motion. Heat, I found, was life ; and 



8 JSac Guide- to Health; 

Cold, death. Each one who examines into it will find 
that all constitutions are alike. I shall now describe the 
fuel which continues the hie, or life of man. 1 iiis is 
contained in two things, food and medicines; which are 
in harmony with each other; often grow in the same field, 
to be used by the same people. People who are capable 
of raising their food, and preparing the same, may as 
easily learn to collect and prepare all their medicines 
and administer the same when it is needed. Our life 
depends on heat; food is the fuel that kindles and con- 
tinues that heat. The digestive powers being correct, 
causes the food to consume; this continues the warmth 
of the body, by continually supporting the fire. 

The stomach is the depository from which the whole bo- 
dy is supported. The heat is maintained in the stomach 
by consuming the food; and all the body and limbs re- 
ceive their proportion of nourishment and heat from that 
source; as the whole room is warmed by the fuel which 
is consumed in the fire place. The greater the quantity 
of wood consumed in the fire place, the greater the heat 
in the room. So in the body; the more food, well di- 
gested, the more heat and support through the whole 
man. By constantly receiving food into the stomach, 
which is sometimes not suitable for the best nourishment, 
the stomach becomes foul, so that the food is not well 
digested. This causes the body to lose its heat; then 
the appetite fails; the bones ache, and the man is sick 
in every part of the whole frame. 

This situation of the body shows the need of medi- 
cine, and the kind needed; which is such as will clear 
the stomach and bowels, and restore the digestive powers. 
When this is done, the food will raise the heat again, and 
nourish the whole man. All the art required to do this 
is, to know what medicine will do it, and how to admin- 
ister it, as a person knows how to clear a stove and the 
pipe when clogged with soot, that the fire may burn free, 
and the whole room be warm as before. 

The body, after being cleared of whatever clogs it, 
■will consume double the food, and the food will afford 
double tile nourishment and heat that it did before. We 
know that our life depends on food, and the stomach be- 
ing in a situation to receive and digest it. When the 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 9 

stomach and bowels are clogged, all that is needed, is 
the oust suitable medicine to remove the obstructions in 
the system. All disease is caused by clogging the sys- 
tem; and all disease is removed by restoring the diges- 
tive powers, so that food may keep up that heat on which 
life depends. 

I have found by experience, that the learned doctors 
are wrong in considering fever a disease or enemy; the 
fever is a friend, and cold the enemy. This I found by 
their practice in my family, until they had five times given 
them over to die. Exercising my own judgment, i fol- 
lowed after them, and relieved my family every time. Af- 
ter finding a general principle respecting fevers, and re- 
ducing that to practice, I found it sure in all disease, 
where there was any nature left to build on, and in three 
years constant practice, I never lost one patient. 

I attended on all the fevers peculiar to our country, and 
always used it as a friend, and that returned the gratitude 
to the patient. I soon began to give this information to 
the people, and convinced many that they might as cer- 
tainly relieve themselves of their disease, as of their hun- 
ger. The expense to them to be always able to relieve 
themselves and families, would be but small; and the 
medicine they may procure and prepare themselves. 

This greatlv disturbed the learned doctors, and some of 
them undertook to destroy me, by reporting that I used 
poison; though they made no mention of my using their 
instruments of death, Mercury, Opium, Ratsbane, Nitre, 
and the lancet. I considered it my duty to withstand 
them, though I found my overthrow was what they aimed 
at. A plan was once laid to take me in the night, but I 
escaped. Next I was indicted as though I had given poi- 
son, "and a bill brought against me for wilful murder. I 
was h ->und in irons and thrust into prison, to be kept there 
through the winter, without being allowed bail. I peti- 
tioned for and obtained a special court to try the cause, 
and was honorably acquitted, after forty days imprison- 
ment. I maintained my integrity in the place where my 
persecution began. In five years, while vindicating this 
new and useful discovery, I lost five thousand dollars, be- 
sides all the persecution, trouble, loss of health, and re- 
proach which has been in connection with the losses* 



10 Mio Guide to Health; 

It has been acknowledged, even by those who are un- 
friendly to me and my practice, that my medicine may 
be good in some particular cases, but not in all. But 
this is an error. For there are but two great principles 
in the constitution of things, whether applied to the mind 
or body; the principle of life and the principle of death. 
That which contains the principle of life, may be per- 
verted, by a misapplication, into an administration of 
death; as the stomach may be overloaded, and injured, 
even by wholesome food; out nothing that is wholesome 
in any case, unless abused, can be even tortured into an 
administration of death. If, then, a medicine is good in 
any case, it is because it is agreeable to nature, or this 
principle of life, the very opposite of disease. If it is 
agreeable in one case, it must be absolutely so in all. 
By the active operation of nature, the whole animal 
economy is carried on ; and the father of the healing 
art, Hippocrates, tells us, what is an obvious truth, that 
Nature is heat. The principle is the same in all, dif- 
fering only in degree. "VV hen disease invades the irame, 
it resists in proportion to its force, till overpowered into 
submission, and when extinguished, death follows, and 
it ceases to operate alike in all. If then, heat is life, 
and its extinction death, a diminution of this vital flame 
in every instance, constitutes disease, and is an ap- 
proximation to death. All then, that medicine, can do 
in the expulsion of disorder, is to kindle up the decay- 
ing spark, and restore its energy till it glows in all its 
wonted vigor. If a direct administration can be made 
to produce this effect, and it can, it is evidently imma- 
terial what is the name, or color of the disease, whether 
bilious, yellow, scarlet or spotted ; whether it is simple 
or complicated, or whether nature has one enemy or 
more. Names, are arbitrary things, the knowledge of 
a name is but the cummin and annis, but in the knowl- 
edge of the origin of a malady, and its antidote, lies 
the weightier matters of this science. This knowl- 
edge makes the genuine physician; all without it is real 
quackery. 

It has been a general opinion that extensive study and 
great erudition, are necessary to form the eminent phy- 
sician. But all this may be as Paul saith, but science, 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 11 

falsely so called. A man may have a scientific knowl- 
edge of the human frame, he may know the names .in 
every language of every medicine, mineral and vegeta- 
ble, as well as every disease, and yet be a miserable 
physician. But there have been men without this to 
boast of, from the earliest ages of the world, who have 
"arisen, blest with the sublimer powers of genius, who 
have as it were, with one look pierced creation, and with 
one comprehensive view, grasped the whole circle of 
science, and left learning itself, toiling after them in 
vain." A man never can be great without intellect, and 
he never can m3re than fill the measure of his capacity. 
There is a power beyond the reach of art, and there are 
gifts that study and learning can never rival. 

The practice of the regular physicians, that is those 
who get a diploma, at the present time, is not to use 
those means which would be most likely to cure disease; 
but to try experiments, upon what they have read in 
books, and to see how much a patient can bear without 
producing death. After pursuing this plan during their 
lives, they know just about as much as they did when 
they began to practice, of what is really useful to man- 
kind. If a patient dies under their hands, why, it is the 
will of God, aad they are sure to get extravagantly paid 
for their trouble, and nothing more is said about it; but 
if one out of hundreds of my patients die, and where the 
doctors have given them over as incurable, they at once 
cry out, that it is quackery, that I gave them poison, &c. 
for the purpose of running me and my medicine d*own, 
and to prevent its being used by the people. The fact is 
well known to thousands who have used my medicine, 
and to which they are ready to attest, that it is perfectly 
harmless, and I defy the faculty to produce one instance 
wherein it has had any bad effects. 

It is true that the study of anatomy, or structure of the 
human body, and of the whole animal economy is pleas- 
ing and useful; nor is there any objection to this, how- 
ever minute and critical, if it is not to the neglect of first 
great principles, and the weightier matters of knowledge. 
But it is no more necessary to mankind at large, to quali- 
fy them to administer relief from pain and sickness, than 
to a cook in preparing food to satisfy hunger and nourish- 



12 New Guide to Health; 

ing the body. There is one general cause of hunger 
and one general supply of food; one general cause of 
disease, and one general remedy. One can be satisfied, 
and the other removed, by an infinite variety of articles, 
best adapted to those different purposes, 'I hat medicine, 
therefore, that will open obstruction, promote perspira- 
tion, and restore digestion, is suited to every patient, 
whatever form the disease assumes, and is universally 
applicable. And acute disorders, such as fevers^ cholics, 
and dysentery, may be relieved thereby, in twenty-four 
or forty-eight hours, at most. 



REMARKS ON FEVERS. 

Much has been said and written upon fevers, by the 
professedly learned Doctors of Medicine, without throw- 
ing the most profitable light on the subject, or greatly 
benefiting mankind. They have been abundantly fruit- 
ful in inventing names for disease, and with great care 
and accuracy distinguished the different symptoms; but 
they appear quite barren as to the knowledge of their 
origin and remedy. To the first, but little importance, 
comparatively speaking, can be attached ; the latter is of 
the highest importance to ail classes of people. 

According to the writings of learned Physicians, there 
are a great variety of fevers, some more and some less 
dangerous. But to begin with a definition of the Name. 
What is fever? Heat, undoubtedly, though a disturbed 
operation of it. But is there in the human frame, more 
than one kind of heat? Yes, says the physician, strange 
as it may appear, there is the pleuritic heat, the slow 
nervous heat, the putrid heat, the hectic heat, the yellow 
heat, the spotted or cold heat, the typhus or ignorant 
heat, and many other heats; and sometimes, calamitous 
to tell, one poor patient has the most, or the whole of 
these fevers, and dies at last for want of heat ! 

Is fever or heat a disease? Hippocrates, the acknowl- 
edged father of physicians, maintained that nature is 
heat; and he is correct. Is nature a disease? Surely 
it is not. What is commonly called fever, is the effect, 
and not the cause of disease. It is the struggle of na- 
ture to throw off disease. The cold causes an obstruc- 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 13 

tion, and fever arises in consequence of that obstruction 
to throw it off. This is universally the case*. Remove 
the cause, the effect will cease. No person ever yet 
died of a fever! for as death approaches, the patient 
grows cold, until in death, the last spark of heat is ex- 
tinguished. This the learned doctors cannot deny; and 
as this is true, they ought, injustice, to acknowledge that 
their whole train of depletive remedies, such as bleed- 
ing, blistering, physicking, starving, with all their refrig- 
eratives; their opium, mercury, arsenic, antimony, nitre, 
&c. are so many deadly engines, combined with the dis- 
ease, against the constitution and life of the patient. If 
cold, which is the commonly received opinion, and which 
is true, is the cause of fever, to repeatedly bleed the pa- 
tient, and administer mercury, opium, nitre, and other 
refrigerents to restore him to health, is as though a man 
should, to increase a fire in his room, throw a part of it 
out of the house, and to increase the remainder, put on 
water, snow and ice! 

As it is a fact, that cannot be denied, that fever takes 
its rise from one great cause or origin, it follows of 
course, that one method of removing that cause, will 
answer in all cases; and the great principle is to assist 
nature, which is heat. 

At the commencement of a fever, by direct and proper 
application of suitable medicine, it can be easily and 
speedily removed, and the patient need not be confined 
long. Twenty-four or forty-eight hours, to the extent, 
are sufficient, and often short of that time, the fever may- 
be removed, or that which is the cause of it. But where 
the patient is left unassisted, to struggle with the disease, 
until his strength is exhausted, and more especially, when 
the most unnatural and injurious administrations are 
made if a recovery is possible, it must of necessity take 
a longer time. These declarations are true, and have 
been often proved, and can be again, to the satisfaction 
of every candid person, at the hazard of any forfeiture 
the faculty may challenge. 

Notwithstanding all these things, how true are the 

words of the intelligent Dr. Hervey, who says, "By what 

unaccountable perversity in our frame does it appear, 

that we set ourselves so much against any thing that is 

2 



14 JVew Ckiide to Health; 

new? Can any one behold, without scorn, such drones 
of physicians, and after the space of so many hundred 
years' experience and practice of their predecessors, not 
one single medicine has been detected, that has the least 
force directly to prevent, to oppose, and expel a continu- 
ed fever? Should any, by a more sedulous observation, 
pretend to make the least step towards the discovery of 
such remedies, their hatred and envy would swell against 
him, as a legion of devils against virtue; the whole 
society will dart their malice at him, and torture him 
with all the calumnies imaginable, without sticking at 
any thing that should destroy him root and branch. For 
he who professes to be a reformer of the art of physic, 
must resolve to run the hazard of the martyrdom of his 
reputation, life and estate." 

The treatment which the writer has received from 
some of the learned physicians, since his discovery of 
the remedy for the fever, and various other diseases, is 
a proof of the truth of this last saying of Dr. Hervey. 
They have imprisoned him, and charged hirn with every 
thing cruel and unjust; though upon a fair trial, their 
violent dealings have come down upon their heads; while 
he has not only been proved innocent before the court, 
but useful; having relieved many which the other 
physicians had given over to die. 

I will now take notice of the yellow fever. The cause 
of this fatal disease is similar to spotted fever. The 
cause of death in the latter, is in consequence of its 
producing a balance by cold, outward and inward; and 
in the former there is a balance of heat outward and in- 
ward; both produce the same thing, that is a total cessa- 
tion of motion, which is death. The color of the skin 
has given name to both these diseases. The yellow is 
caused by the obstruction of the gall; instead of being 
discharged through its proper vessels, it is forced and 
diffused through the pores of the skin. The same ef- 
fects that are produced by these two fevers may be ob- 
served in the motion of the sea; when the tide is done 
running up, there is what is called slack water, or a 
balance of power, and the same thing takes place when 
it is done running down; when the fountain is raised, 
the water runs from it; but when it is lowered the water 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 15 

runs towards it. The same cause produces the same 
effects in the spotted and yellow fevers; for when a 
balance of power between the outward and inward heat 
takes place, death follows. 

Having described the two kinds of fever which are 
the most alarming, they being most fatal, I shall pass 
over those of a less alarming nature, and merely observe, 
that there is no. other difference in all cases of fever, than 
what it caused by the different degrees of cold, or loss 
of inward heat, which are two adverse parties in one 
body, contending for power. If the heat gains the vic- 
tory, the cold will be disinherited, and health will be re- 
stored; but on the other hand, if cold gains the ascen- 
dancy, heat will be dispossessed of its empire, and death 
will follow of course. As soon as life ceases, the body 
becomes cold, which is conclusive evidence that its gain- 
ing the victory is the cause of death. When the power 
of cold is nearly equal to that of heat, the fever or strife 
between the two parties, may continue for a longer or 
shorter time, according to circumstances; this is what is 
called a long fever, or fever and ague. The battle be- 
tween cold and heat will take place periodically, some 
times every day, at other times, every other day, and 
they will leave off about equal, heat keeping a little the 
upper hand. In attempting to cure a case of this kind, 
we must consider whether the fever is a friend or an 
enemy; if it is a friend, which I hold to be the fact, 
when the fever fit is on, increase the power of heat, in 
order to drive off the cold, and life will bear the rule; 
but, on the contrary, should cold be considered a friend, 
when the cold fit is on, by increasing its power, you 
drive off the heat, and death must ensue. Thus you 
may promote life or death by tempering cold and heat. 

Much has been said by the doctors concerning the 
turn of a fever, and how long a time it will run. When 
it is said that a fever will turn at such a time, I presume 
it must mean that it has been gone; this is true, for it is 
then gone on the outside, and is trying to turn again and 
go inside, where it belongs. Instead of following the 
dictates of nature and aiding it to subdue the cold, the 
doctor uses all his skill to kill the fever. How, I would 
ask, in the name of common sense, can any thing turn 



16 Mw Guide to Health; 

when killed? Support the fever and it will return in- 
side; the cold, which is the cause of disease, will be 
driven out, and health will be restored. In all cases 
called fever, the cause is the same in a greater or less de- 
gree, and may be relieved by one general remedy. The 
cold causes canker, and before the canker is seated, the 
strife will take place between cold and heat; and while 
the hot flashes and cold chills remain, it is evidence that 
the canker is not settled, and the hot medicine alone, oc- 
casionally assisted by steam, will throw it off; but as the 
contest ceases, the heat is steady on the outside; then 
canker assumes the power inside; this is called a settled 
fever. The truth is, the canker is fixed on the inside 
and will ripen and come off in a short time, if the fever 
is kept up so as to overpower the cold. This idea is new 
and never was known till my discovery. By raising the 
fever with Nos. 1 and 2, and taking off the canker with 
No. 3, and the same given by injections, we may turn a 
fever when we please; but il this is not understood, the 
canker will ripen and come off itself, when the fever will 
turn and go inside and the cold will be driven out; there- 
fore they will 'do much better without any aid, than with 
a doctor. The higher the fever runs, the sooner the cold 
will be subdued; and if you contend against the heat, 
the longer will be the run of the fever, and when killed, 
death follows. 

When a patient is bled, it lessens the heat and gives 
double power to the cold; like taking out of one side of 
the scale, and putting it in the other, which doubles the 
weight, and turns the scale in favor of the disease. By 
giving opium it deadens the feelings; the small dor3s of 
nitre and calomel tend to destroy what heat remains, and 
plants new crops of canker, which will stand in different 
stages in the body, the same as corn planted in the field 
every week, will keep some in all stages; so is the dif- 
ferent degrees in canker. This is the reason why there 
are so many different fevers as are named ; when one fever 
turns another sets in and so continues one after another un- 
til the harvest is all ripe, if the season is long enough; if 
not, the cold and frost takes them off — then it is said they 
died of a fever. It might with as much propriety be said 
that the corn killed with frost, died with the heat. The 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 17 

question, whether the heat or cold killed the patient, is 
easily decided, for that power which bears rule in the 
body after death is what killed the patient, which is cold; 
as much as that which bears rule when he is alive is heat. 
When a person is taken sick, it is common to say I have 
got a cold, and am afraid 1 am going to have a fever; 
but no fears are expressed of the cold he has taken; nei- 
ther is it mentioned when the cold left him. The fash- 
ionable practice is to fight the remains of heat till the pa-? 
tient dies, by giving cold the victory; in which case is it 
not a fact that the doctor assists the cold to kill the pa-^ 
tient ? Would it not have been more reasonable, or likely 
to have cured them, when the fever arose to throw off 
the cold, to have helped the fever and give nature the 
victory over its enemy, when the health would be restored 
the same as before they took the cold? 

We frequently see in the newspapers accounts of peo^ 
pie d^ing in consequence of drinking cold water when 
very warm. Some fall dead instantly, and others linger 
for several hours; the doctors have not been able to afford 
any relief when called. The principal symptoms are 
chills, and shivering with cold, which is viewed with as-? 
tonishment by those who witness it Proper caution 
should always be observed by persons when very warm 
and thirsty, who go to a pump to drink, by swallowing 
a little at a time, which will prevent any fatal effects. 

This strange circumstance of being cold on a hot day, 
and which has never been accounted for in a satisfactory 
manner to the public, I shall endeavor to explain in as 
comprehensive and plain language as I am capable. The 
component parts of animal bodies are earth and water, 
and life and motion are caused by fire and air. The in- 
ward heat is the fountain of life, and as much as that has 
the power above the outward heat, so much we have of 
life and strength, and when we lose this power of heat, 
our strength and faculties decay in proportion ; and it is 
immaterial whether we lose this power by losing the in-? 
ward heat or raising the outward heat above it, as the 
effect is the same. If you raise the stream level with the 
fountain, it stops the current, and all motion will cease 3 

8,* 



18 Neiv Guide to Health; 

and the same effects will follow by lowering the fountain 
to a level with the stream. When the outward heat be- 
comes equal with the inward, either by the one being 
raised, or the other being lowered, cold assumes the 
power, and death takes place. 

The cause of the fatal effects by drinking cold water, 
is because the fountain of life is lost by the stream be- 
ing raised above the fountain, or the inward heat low- 
ered by throwing into the stomach so large a quantity of 
cold water as to give the outward heat the power of bal- 
ancing the inward, and in proportion as the one ap- 
proaches to an equality with the other, so the strength is 
diminished, and when equal, death ensues. 

I shall now make some further remarks on this and 
other subjects, with a hope that it may be beneficial to 
mankind. The reason why these extraordinary cases 
appear so wonderful to the people, is because they are 
unacquainted with the cause. Why should we wonder 
at a person being cold on a hot day, when we are not, 
any more than we should wonder a f another being hun- 
gry, when we have just been eating; or that others 
can be in pain, when we are enjoying good health? 
The one is as plain and simple as the other, when un- 
derstood. The want of inward heat is the cause of their 
being cold, just as much as the want of food is the 
cruise of hunger, or the" want of health is the cause of 
pain. One person may have lost the natural power of 
heat, by an effect which others in similar situations may 
not have experienced, and will suffer the consequences 
of cold in proportion to the loss of inward heat; this is 
manifest in the different degrees of sickness. If the 
inward heat loses its balance of power suddenly, death 
is immediate; which is the case in spotted fever, and in 
drowned persons. When the inward and outward cold 
is balanced, life ceases, and the blood being stopped in 
its motion, settles in spots, which appearance has given 
name to what is called spotted fever. The same ap- 
pearances take place on drowned persons, and from the 
same cause. 

The practice of bleeding for the purpose of curing 
disease, I consider most unnatural and injurious. Na- 
ture never furnishes the body with more blood than is 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 19 

necessary for the maintenance of health; to take away 
part of the blood, therefore; is taking away just so much 
of the life, and is as contrary to nature, as it would be 
to cut away part of the flesh. Many experiments have 
been tried by the use of the lancet in fevers; but I be- 
lieve it will be allowed by all, that most of them have 
proved fatal; and several eminent physicians have died 
in consequence of trying the experiment on themselves. 
If the system is diseased, the blood becomes as much 
diseased as any other part; remove the cause of the dis- 
order, and the blood will recover and become healthy as 
soon as any other part; but how taking part of it away 
can help to cure what remains, can never be reconciled 
with common sense. 

There is no practice used by the physicians that I 
consider more inconsistent with common sense, and at 
the same time more inhuman than blistering, to remove 
disease; particularly insane persons, or what the doctors 
call dropsy on the brain; in which cases they shave the 
head and draw a blister on it. Very few patients, if any, 
ever survive this application. What would be thought 
if a scald should be caused by boiling water to remove 
disease? Yet there is no difference between this and a 
blister made by flies. I have witnessed many instances 
where great distress and very bad effects have been caus- 
ed by the use of blisters; and believe I can truly say 
that I never knew any benefit derived from their use. It 
very frequently causes strangury, when the attempted 
remedy becomes mueh worse than the disease. 

In support of my opinions on the subject, I will give 
the following extract from the writings of l)r. Hillary, 
an eminent physician of London. y 

M I have long observed that blisters are too frequently, 
and too often improperly used, as they are now so much 
in fashion. It is very probable, that we have no one 
remedy, in all the Materia Medica, that is so frequently, 
and so often improperly applied, not only in too many 
cases, where they cannot possibly give any relief, but 
too often where they must unavoidably increase the very 
evil, which they are intended to remove or relieve. How 
often do we see them applied, and sometimes several of 
them, by pretended dabblers in physic, not only where 



20 *Veiv Guide to Health; 

there are no indications for applying them, but where 
the true indication are against their application: as, in 
the beginning of most fevers, and especially those of the 
inflammatory, and of the putrid kind, where, in the first, 
the stimulus of the acrid salts of the cantharides, which 
pass into the blood, must unavoidably increase, both the 
stimulus, and the momentum of the blood, which were 
too great before, and so render the fever inflammatory, 
and all its symptoms worse. 

"And it is well known that the cantharides contain a 
great quantity of alkaline semi-volatile salts, which pass 
into the blood, though they are applied externally- and 
attenuate, dissolve, and hasten, and increase its putrefac- 
tion, which is also confirmed by the putrid alkaline acri- 
mony which they produce in the urine, with the heat and 
strangury, which it gives to the urinary passage." 



ON STEAMING. 



Steaming is a very important branch of my system of 
practice, which would in many cases without it, be in- 
sufficient to effect a cure. It is of great importance in 
many cases, but considered by the medical faculty as 
desperate; and they would be so under my mode of 
treatment, if it was not for this manner of applying heat 
to the body, for the purpose of reanimating the system 
and aiding nature in restoring health. I had but little 
knowledge of medicine, when through necessity. I dis- 
covered the use of steaming, to add heat or life to the 
decaying spark; and with it I was enabled, by adminkh 
tering such vegetable preparations as I then had a knowl- 
edge of. to effect a cure in cases where the regular prac^ 
titioners had given them over. 

In all cases where the heat of the body is so far ex- 
hausted as not to be rekindled by using the medicine 
and being shielded from the surrounding air by a blanket, 
or being in bed, and chills or stupor attend the patient, 
then applied heat by steaming, becomes indispensably 
necessary; and heat caused by steam in the manner 
that I use it, is more natural in producing perspiration^ 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 21 

than any dry heat that can be applied to the body m 
any other manner, which will only serve to dry the air 
and prevent perspiration in many cases of disease, where 
a steam by water or vinegar would promote it and add a 
natural warmth to the body, and thereby increase the 
life and motion, which has lain silent in consequence of 
the cold. 

Dr. Jennings has contrived a plan to apply heat to the 
body by a dry vapor, caused by burning spirit, which 
he calls a vapor bath, the idea of which was, I have no 
doubt, taken from hearing of my steaming to raise the 
heat of the body. It may answer in some cases and 
stages of disease; but in a settled fever and other cases 
where there is a dry inflammation on the surface of the 
body, it will not answer any good purpose, and I think 
would be dangerous without the use of my medicine to 
first raise a free perspiration ; for when the surface of the 
body is dry, the patient cannot bear it, as it will crowd 
to the head and cause distress, the same as is produced 
by burning charcoal, or from hot stoves in a tight room, 
and will bring on a difficulty in breathing, which is not 
the case in steaming in my way. This machine can on- 
ly be used in bed, where the vapor cannot be applied to 
the body equally at the same time, therefore is no better 
than a hot, dry stone, put on each side and to the feet of 
the patient, for he can turn himself and get heat from 
them as well as to have all the trouble of burning spirit 
and turning to the vapor of it, to get warm by this dry 
heat. When the patient stands over a steam raised by 
putting a hot stone in water, which gives a more equal 
heat all over the body than can be done in any other 
manner, it can be raised higher, and may be tempered 
at pleasure, by wetting the face and stomach with cold 
water as occasion requires. 

The method adopted by me, and which has always 
answered the desired object, is as follows: Take several 
stones of different sizes and put them in the fire till red 
hot, then take the smallest first, and put one of them into 
a pan or kettle of hot water, with the stone about half 
immersed; the patient must be undressed and a blanket 
put around him so as to shield his whole body from the 
air, and then place him over the steam. Change the 



22 Mtv Guide to Health; 

stones as often as they grow cool, so as to keep up a 
lively steam, and keep them over it; if they are faint, 
throw a little cold water on the face and stomach, which 
will let down the outward heat and restore the strength; 
after they have been over the steam long enough, which 
will generally be about fifteen or twenty minutes, they 
must be washed all over with cold water or spirit, and 
be put in bed, or may be dressed, as the circumstances 
of the case shall permit. Before they are placed over 
the steam, give a dose of No. 2 and 3, or composition, to 
raise the inward heat. When the patient is too weak to 
stand over the steam, it may be done in bed, by heating 
three stones, and put them in water till done hissing, then 
wrap them in a number of thicknesses of cloths wet with 
water, and put one on each side and one at the feet, oc- 
casionally wetting the face and stomach with cold water, 
when faint. 

Many other plans may be contrived in steaming, which 
would make less trouble and be more agreeable to the 
patient, especially where they are unable to stand over 
the steam. An open worked chair may be made, in 
which they might sit and be steamed very conveniently ; 
or a settee might be made in the same manner, in which 
they might be laid and covered with blankets so as to 
shield them from the surrounding air. Such contrivances 
as these would be very convenient in cases where the 
patient would have to be carried through a course of 
medicine, and steamed a number of times, as is frequent- 
ly necessary, particularly in complaints that have been 
of long standing. 

As I have frequently mentioned a regular course of 
medicine, I will here state what is meant by it, and the 
most proper way in which it is performed. Firstly, give 
No. 2 and 3, or composition, adding a tea spoonful of 
No. 6; then steam, and when in bed repeat it, adding 
No. 1, which will cleanse the stomach and assist in keep- 
ing up a perspiration; when this has done operating, give 
an injection made with the same articles. Where there 
are symptoms of nervous affection, or spasms, put lialf a 
tea spoonful of the nerve powder into each dose given, 
and into the injection. In violent cases, where imme- 
diate relief is needed, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6, maybe given 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 23 

together. Injections may be administered at all times, 
and in all cases of disease to advantage; it can never do 
harm, and in many cases, they are indispensably neces- 
sary, especially where there is canker and inflammation 
in the bowels, and there is danger of mortification, in 
which case, add a tea spoonful of No. 6. In cases of 
this kind, the injection should be given first, or at the 
same time of giving the composition or No. 3. 

The use of steaming is good in preventing sickness, 
as well as curing it. When a person has been exposed 
to the cold, and is threatened with disease, it may be 
prevented, and long sickness and expense saved by a 
very little trouble, by standing over a steam and follow- 
ing the directions before given, till the cold is thorough- 
ly thrown off, and a lively perspiration takes place; then 
go to bed, taking the stone from the kettle, and wrap 
it in wet cloths, and put it to the feet. This may be 
done without the medicine, when it cannot be had ; but 
is much better to take something to raise the inward 
heat at the same time. A tea made of mayweed or 
summer-savory, or ginger and hot water sweetened, may 
be given, or any thing that is warming. This advice is 
for the poor, and those who have not a knowledge of the 
medicine; and will many times save them much trouble 
and long sickness. 

Steaming is of the utmost importance in cases of sus- 
pended animation, such as drowned persons; in which 
case, place the body over a moderate steam, shielded by 
a blanket, from the weight of the external air, and rati- 
fying the air immediately around them with the steam. 
Pour into the mouth. some of the tincture of Nos. 1, 2, 
and 6; and if there is any internal heat remains, there 
will be muscular motion about the eyes, and in the ex- 
tremities. If this symptom appears, repeat the dose 
several times, and renew the hot stones, raising the heat 
by degrees; if the outward heat is raised too sudden, so 
as to balance the inward, you will fail of the desired ob- 
ject, even after life appears. > This is the only danger of 
any difficulty taking place; always bear in mind to keep 
the fountain above the stream, or the inward heat above 
the outward, and all will be safe. After life is restored, 
put them in bed and keep the perspiration free for twelve 



24 Mw Guide to Health; 

hours, by hot stones wrapped in cloths wet with water, 
and occasionally giving the tincture as before mentioned, 
when the coldness and obstructions are thrown off, and 
the patient will be in the enjoyment of his natural 
strength.. Beware of bleeding, or blowing in the mouth 
with a bellows, as either will generally prove fatal. 

In many cases of spotted fever, steaming is as neces- 
sary as in drowned persons; such as when they fall ap- 
parently dead; then the same treatment is necessary to 
lighten the surrounding air till you can raise the inward 
heat so as to get the determining power to the surface. 
Begin with a small stone, and as life gains, increase the 
steam as the patient can bear it; if the distress is great, 
give more hot medicine inside, and as soon as an equi- 
librium takes place, the pain will cease. In all cases of 
this kind, the difficulty cannot be removed without appli- 
ed heat to the body, and is more natural by steam than 
by any other means that can be made use of. In cases 
of long standing, where the patient has been run down 
with mercury, and left in a cold and obstructed state, 
liable to rheumatism and other similar complaints, they 
cannot be cured with medicine without applied heat by 
steam, as nothing will remove mercury but heat. 

When a patient is carried through a course of my med- 
icine and steamed, who has been long under mercurial 
treatment; and while under the operation of the steam, 
when the heat is at the highest, the face will swell, in 
consequence of the poisonous vapor 'being condensed by 
the air, the face being open to it. To relieve this, put 
them in bed, and take a hot stone wrapped in several 
thicknesses of cloth wet with water, pouring on a little 
vinegar, and making a lively steam; put it in the bed 
and cover the head with the clothes and let them breathe 
the steam as hot as can be borne, until the sweat covers 
the swelled part. This will, in about fifteen or twenty 
minutes, throw out the poison, and the swelling will abate. 
This method also is of great service in agues and teeth- 
ache caused by cold; and many other cases of obstruc- 
tion from the same cause, especially young children 
stuffed on the lungs. 

To steam small children, the best way is to let them 
sit in the lap of a person, covering both with a blanket 



o>% Botanic Family Physician. 25 

and set over the steam, pouring a little vinegar on the 
stone; or it may be done in bed with a hot stone, wrap- 
ped in cloths wet with water, putting on a little vinegar; 
and covering them with the bed clothes laid loosely over 
them; but in this way you cannot exercise so good judg- 
ment in tempering the steam, as when you are steamed 
with them. If the child appears languid and faint, the 
outward heat is high enough; put a little cold water on 
the face or breast, which will restore the strength, then 
rub them in a cloth wet with vinegar, spirit or cold water, 
put on clean clothes, and put them in bed, or let them 
sit up as their strength will permit. This is safe in all 
cases of cold and obstructed perspiration. It ought al- 
ways to be borne strongly in mind, to give a child drink 
often, when under the operation of medicine, or while 
steaming; if this is not done, they will suffer much, as 
they cannot ask for it. 

In all cases of falls or bruises, steaming is almost in- 
fallible; and is much better than bleeding, as is the 
common practice, which only tends to destroy life in- 
stead of promoting it. If the person is not able to 
stand over the steam, it must be done in bed, as has been 
described. Give the hottest medicine inside that you 
have, and keep the perspiration free till the pain and 
soreness abates, and the strength will be soon restored. 
If the advantages of this mode of treatment was gener- 
ally known, bleeding in such cases, or any other, to 
remove disease, would never be resorted to by the wise 
and prudent. 

The use of steaming is to apply heat to the body 
where it is deficient, and clear off obstructions caused 
by cold, which the operation of the medicine will not 
raise heat enough to do; for as the natural heat of the 
body becomes thereby lower than the natural state of 
health, it must by art be raised as much above as it has 
been below; and this must be repeated until the diges- 
tive powers are restored, sufficient to hold the heat by 
digesting the food, then the health of the patient will be 
restored by eating and drinking such things as the appe- 
tite shall require. In this way the medicine removes 
disease, and food, by being properly digested, supports 
nature and continues that heat on which life depends, 
3 



26 New Guide to Health; 

Some who practise according to my system, boast of 
carrying their patients through in a shorter time without 
the trouble of steaming; this is easily accounted for; 
steaming is the most laborious part of the practice for 
those who attend upon the sick, and the most useful to 
the patient; as one operation of steaming will be more 
effectual in removing disease, than four courses without 
it; and to omit it is throwing the labor upon ihe pa- 
tient, with the expense of three or four operations more 
of the medicine, than would be needed, did the person 
who attends do his duty faithfully. 



ON GIVING POISON AS MEDICINE. 

The practice of giving poison as medicine, which is 
so common among the medical faculty at the present 
day, is of the utmost importance to the public; and is a 
subject that I wish to bring home to the serious con- 
sideration of the whole body of the people of this coun- 
try, and enforce in the strongest manner on their minds, 
the pernicious consequences that have happened, and are 
daily taking place by reason of giving mercury, arsenic, 
nitre, opium and other deadly poisons to cure disease. It 
is admitted by those who make use of these things, that 
the introducing them into the system is very dangerous, 
and that they often prove fatal. During thirty years prac- 
tice, I have had opportunity to gain much experience on 
this subject, and am ready to declare that I am perfectly 
and decidedly convinced, beyond all doubt, that there 
can be no possible good derived from using in any man- 
ner or form whatever, those poisons; but on the other 
hand, there is a great deal of hurt done. More than 
nine-tenths of the chronic cases that have come under my 
care, have been such as had been run down with some 
one or the whole of the above named medical poisons; 
and the greatest difficulty I have had to encounter in re- 
moving the complaints which my patients labored under, 
has been to clear the system of mercury, nitre, or oprum, 
and bring them back to the same state they were in be- 
fore taking them. It is a very easy thing to get them 
into the system, but very hard to get them out again. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. t • 27 

Those who make use of these things as medicine, 
seem to cloak the administering them under the specious 
pretence of great skill and art in preparing and using 
them; but this kind of covering will not blind the. peo- 
ple, if they would examine it and think for themselves, 
instead of believing that every thing said or done by a 
learned man must be right; for poison given to the sick 
by a person of the greatest skill, will have exactly the 
same effect as it would if given by a fool. The fact is, 
the operation of it is diametrically opposed to nature, 
and every particle of it, that is taken into the system, 
will strengthen the power of the enemy to health. 

If there should be doubts in the minds of any one of 
the truth of what I have said concerning the articles I 
have named being poisonous and destructive to the con- 
stitution and health of man, I will refer them to the 
works published by those who recommend their use; 
where they will find evidence enough to satisfy the most 
credulous, of the dangerous consequences and fatal ef- 
fects, of giving them as medicine. To remove all doubts 
of their being poison I will make a few extracts from 
standard medical works, as the best testimony that can 
be given in the case. 

" Muriate of Mercury, is one of the most violent poi- 
sons with which we aVe acquainted. Externally it acts 
as an escharotic or a caustic; and in solution, it is used 
for destroying fungous flesh, and for removing hepetic 
eruptions; but even externally, it must be used with 
very great caution." Yet, reader, this active poison is 
used as medicine, and by being prepared in a different 
form, and a new name given it, Calomel, its good qual- 
ities are said to be invaluable, and is a certain cure for 
almost every disease. 

"Onfd of Arsenic, is one of the most sudden and vio- 
lent poisons w r e are acquainted with. In mines, it causes 
the destruction of numbers of those who explore them: 
and it is frequently the instrument by which victims are 
sacrificed, either by the hand of wickedness or impru- 
dence. The fumes of Arsenic are so deleterious to the 
lungs, that the artist ought to be on his guard to prevent 
their exhalation by the mouth; for if they be mixed and 
swallowed with the saliva, effects will take place similar 



28 New Guide to Health; 

to those which follow its introduction into the stomach 
in a saline state, namely, a sensation of a piercing, 
gnawing, and burning kind, accompanied with an acute 
pain in the stomach and intestines, which last are vio- 
lently contorted; convulsive vomiting; insatiable thirst, 
from the parched and rough state of the tongue and throat* 
hiccough, palpitation of the heart and a deadly oppres- 
sion of the whole breast, succeed next; the matter eject- 
ed by the mouth, as well as the stools, exhibit a black, 
foetid, and putrid appearance; at length with the mor- 
tification of the bowels, the pain subsides, and death ter- 
minates the sufferings of the patient." "When the 
quantity is so very small as not t% prove fatal, tremors, 
paralysis, and lingering hectics succeed." 

Notwithstanding this terrible description of the fatal 
effects of this article, the author says, -'though the 
most violent of mineral poisons, arsenic, according to 
Murray, equals, when properly administered, the first 
medicines in the class of tonics." "Of all the dis- 
eases, says Dr. Duncan, in which white Oxyd of Arse- 
nic has been used internally, there is none in which it 
has been so frequently and so successfully employed, 
as in the cure of intermittent fevers. We have now 
the most satisfactory information concerning this article, 
in the Medical Reports, of the effects of arsenic in the 
cure of agues, remitting fevers, and periodical head- 
aches, by Dr. Fowler, of Stafford." Such are the 
powers of this medicine, that two grains of it are often 
sufficient to cure an intermittent that has continued for 
weeks! As an external remedy, arsenic has long been 
known as the basis of the celebrated cancer powders; 
"Arsenic has ever been applied in substance, sprinkled 
upon the ulcer; but this mode of using it is exceeding- 
ly painful, and extremely dangerous. There have been 
fatal effects produced from its absorption." No other 
escharotic possesses equal powers in cancerous affec- 
tions; it not unfrequently amends the discharge, causes 
the sore to contract in size, and cases have been related 
of its having effected a cure. But, says Dr. Willich, 
"we are, on the combined testimony of many medical 
practitioners, conspicuous for their professional zeal and 
integrity, irresistibly induced to declare our opinion^ 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 29 

at least, against the internal use of this active and dan- 
gerous medicine." 

I shall leave it to the reader, to reconcile, if he can, 
the inconsistencies and absurdities of the above state- 
ments, of the effects of ratsbane; and ask himself the 
question, whether it can be possible, for an article, the 
use of which is attended with such consequences, to be 
in any shape or form, proper to be used as medicine; 
yet it is a well known fact, that this poison is in constant 
use among the faculty, and forms the principal ingredient 
in most of those nostrums sold throughout the country, 
under the names of drops, powders, washes, balsams, 
&c, and there can be no doubt that thousands either die, 
or become miserable invalids in consequence. 

" Antimony, in the modern nomenclature, is the name 
given to a peculiar metal. The antimonial metal is a 
medicine of the greatest power of any known substance; 
a quantity too minute to be sensible in the most delicate 
balance, is capable of producing violent effects, if taken 
dissolved, or in a soluble state." " Sulphureted antimo- 
ny was employed by the ancients in Collyria, against in- , 
flammation of the eyes, and for staining the eyebrows 
black. Its internal use does not seem to have been es- 
tablished till the end of the fifteenth century; and even 
at that time it was by many looked upon as poisonous." 
iC All the metallic preparations are uncertain, as it en- 
tirely depends on the state of the stomach, whether they 
have no action at all, or operate with dangerous violence. " 
"The principal general medicinal application of antimo- 
ny has been for the use of febrile affections." "In the 
latter stage of fever, where debility prevails, its use is 
inadmissible." Of the propriety of using this metal as 
medicine, I shall leave it to the reader to judge for him? 
self. ^ 

"Nitre. Salt-Petre, This salt, consisting of nitric 
acid and potash, is found ready formed on the surface 
of the soil in warm climates." "Purified nitre is pre? 
scribed with advantage in numerous disorders. Its vir- 
tues are those of a refrigerent and diuretic. It is usu- 
ally given in doses from two or three grains to a scru- 
ple, being a very cooling and resolvent medicine, which 
by relaxing the spasmodic rigidity of the vessels, pro? 
3* 



80 New Guide to Health; 

motes not only the secretion of urine, but at the same 
time insensible perspiration, in febrile disorders; while 
it allays thirst and abates heat; though in malignant 
cases in which the pulse is low, and the patient's strength 
exhausted, it produces contrary effects." s< This pow- 
erful salt, when inadvertently taken in too large quanti- 
ties, is one of the most fatal poisons." "For some in- 
teresting observations relative to the deleterious proper- 
ties of salt-petre, the reader is referred to Dr. Mitchell's 
letter to Dr. Priestly." 

I have found from a series of practical experiments for 
many years, that salt-petre has the most certain and 
deadly effects upon the human system, of any drug that 
is used as medicine. Although the effects produced by 
it are not so immediately fatal as many others, yet its 
whole tendency is to counteract the principles of life, 
and destroy the operation of nature. Experience has 
taught me that it is the most powerful enemy to health, 
and that it is the most difficult opponent to encounter, 
with any degree of success, that I have ever met with. 
Being in its nature cold, there cannot be any other effects 
produced by it, than to increase the power of that enemy 
of heat, and to lessen its necessary influence. 

u Opium, when taken into the stomach to such an ex- 
tent as to have any sensible effect, gives rise to a pleas- 
ant serenity of the mind, in general proceeding to a cer- 
tain degree of languor and drowsiness." "It excites 
thirst and renders the mouth dry and parched. " ' ' Taken 
into the stomach in a larger dose, gives rise to confusion 
of the head and vertigo. The powers of all stimulating 
causes of making impressions on the body are diminish- 
ed; and even at times, and in situations, when a person 
would naturally be awake, sleep is irresistibly induced. 
In still larger doses, it acts in the same manner as the 
narcotic poisons, giving rise to vertigo, headache, tre- 
mors, delirium and convulsions; and these terminating 
in a state of stupor, from which the person cannot be 
roused. This stupor is accompanied with slowness of 
the pulse, and with stertor in breathing, and the scene is 
terminated in death, attended with the same appear- 
ances as take place in an apoplexy." "In intermit- 
tents it is said to have been used with good effect." "It 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 31 

is often of very great service in fevers of the typhoid 
type." "In small pox, when the convulsions before 
eruption are frequent and considerable, opium is liberal- 
ly used." i( In cholera and pyrosis, it is almost the only 
thing trusted to." " The administration of opium to the 
unaccustomed, is sometimes very difficult. The requisite 
quantity of opium is wonderfully different in different 
persons and in different states of the same person. A 
quarter of a grain will in one adult produce effects which 
ten times the quantity will not do in another. The 
lowest fatal dose to the unaccustomed, as mentioned by 
authors, seems to be four grains; but a dangerous dose 
is so apt to puke, that it has seldom time to occasion 
death." 

From the above extracts, it will readily be seen, that 
the use of opium, as medicine, is very dangerous, at 
least, if not destructive to health; its advocates, it will 
be observed, do not pretend that it will cure any disor- 
der, but is used as a paliative for the purpose of easing 
pain, by destroying sensibility. Pain is caused by dis- 
ease, and there can be no other way to relieve it, but by 
removing the cause. Sleep produced by opium is unnat- 
ural, and affords no relief to the patient, being nothing 
more than a suspension of his senses; and it might 
with as much propriety be said, that a state of delirium 
is beneficial, for a person in that situation is not sen- 
sible of pain. The fact is, opium is a poison, and when 
taken into the system, produces no other effect than to 
strengthen the power of the enemy to health, by dead- 
ening the sensible organs of the stomach and intestines, 
and preventing them from performing their natural func- 
tions, so important to the maintaining of health and 
life. In all the cases that have come within my knowl- 
edge, where the patient has been long in the habit of 
taking opium, I have found it almost impossible, after re- 
moving the disease, to restore the digestive powers of 
the stomach. 

I have made the foregoing extracts on the subject of 
poisons, for the purpose of giving a more plain and sim- 
ple view of the pernicious consequences caused by their 
being given as medicine, than I could do in any other 
manner. In this short address, it is impossible to do 



32 New Guide to Health; 

that justice to the subject that I could wish, and which its 
importance demands; but I am not without hope, that 
what is here given will satisfy every candid person who 
reads it, of the truth of those principles,. which it has been 
at all times my endeavor to inculcate, for the benefit of 
mankind, and convince them, that what has a tendency 
to destroy life, can never be useful in restoring health. 

In support of what has been before said on the use 
of mercury. I will here give a short extract from Dr. 
Mann's Medical Sketches, which is but a trifle in com- 
parison with the many cases that he has given of the 
fatal effects of that poison. " Calomel should never be 
administered, unless the patient is so situated that the 
skin may be preserved in its natural warmth. If this is 
not attended to during its administration, either the 
bowels or the glands of the mouth suffered. To one of 
these parts it frequently directed all its stimulating pow- 
ers, and induced on one or the other high degrees of in- 
flammation, which terminated in mortification of the in- 
testines, or destruction of not only the muscles, but the 
bones of the face. 

" Four cases under these formidable effects of mercu- 
rial ptyalism, were admitted into the general hospital, 
at Lewistovyn; three of whom died with their jaws and 
faces dreadfully mutilated. The fourth recovered with 
the loss of the inferior maxilla on one side, and the teeth 
on the other. He lived a most wretched life, deformed 
in his features, when I last saw the patient, incapable of 
taking food, except through a small aperture in place of 
his mouth." 

There are several vegetables that grow common in 
this country, which are poisons; and in order that the 
public may be on their guard against using them as 
medicine, I will here give a list of those within my 
knowledge, viz: Garden Hemlock, Night Shade, Apple 
Peru, Poppy, Henbane, Poke-root, Mandrake-root, Gar- 
get-root, Wild Parsnip, Indigo-weed, Ivy, Dogwood, 
Tobacco, and Laurel. In case either of these articles, 
or any other poison should be taken through accident, 
or otherwise, a strong preparation of No. 1, with a 
small quantity of No. 2, will be found to be a sovereign 
remedy. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 33 

Cases frequently occur in the country, of being poi- 
soned externally, by some of the above vegetable poisons, 
in which they swell very much. When this happens, by 
taking No. 2, or Composition, and washing with the 
tincture, or the third preparation of No. 1, relief may be 
speedily obtained. 

It is a common thing with the doctors to make use of 
many of the above mentioned vegetable poisons as medi- 
cine; but I would caution the public against the use of 
them in any way whatever, as they will have no other 
effect than to increase the difficulty, and injure the con- 
stitution of the patient; being deadly poisons, it is im- 
possible that they can do any good. No dumb beast will 
ever touch them, and they are correct judges of what is 
good for food or medicine. 

Great use is made in many parts of the country of 
garden hemlock, Scicuta, and is recommended by the 
doctors for many complaints, to be taken or applied ex- 
ternally. I have been credibly informed that large quan- 
tities of this article are collected and boiled down to a 
thick substance, by the people in the country, and sold 
by them to the doctors and apothecaries. It is well 
known to be the greatest poison of any vegetable, and 
was used in ancient times to put criminals to death; but 
this was before it was ever thought of, that the same ar- 
ticle that would cause immediate death when taken for 
that purpose, would also cure disease. 

Many persons that pretend to make use of my system 
of practice, are in the habit of using some of the vege- 
tables that I have mentioned as poisonous. I wish the 
public to understand that it is entirely unauthorized by 
me, as there is nothing in my practice or writings, but 
what is directly opposed to every thing of a poisonous 
nature being used as a medicine ; for it has always been 
my aim, to ascertain and avoid the use of every thing 
except such articles as I knew by actual experience to 
be agreeable to nature, and also free from all danger or 
risk in using them to cure disease. I therefore caution 
the public against putting any confidence in such as make 
use of either vegetable or mineral poison. 

There has been several cases of death published by 
the doctors, which they say were caused by those who 



34 JVew Guide to Health; 

practice by my system; and from the description they 
have given of the treatment, I have good reason to sup- 
pose, if there is any truth at all in them, were attended 
by such as I have before mentioned, pretending to prac- 
tise by my system without having a correct knowledge 
of k; and who are tampering with every kind of medi- 
cine they can find; for there is no such treatment of dis- 
ease, as they describe, ever been recommended by me, 
or that can be found in my writings or practice. It is 
very convenient for them, and has become common^ to 
say, when they happen to be successful, it is their own 
great improvements; but when the patient dies, it is then 
laid to the Thomsonian system of practice. This is un- 
just, and ought to be exposed; and I ask all those who 
have a wish to promote the practice, to adopt some 
means to ascertain the truth, and make it public. 



THE DOCTORS WITHOUT A SYSTEM. 

That the doctors have no system is a fact pretty gen- 
erally acknowledged by themselves; or at least they 
have none that has been fixed upon as a general rule for 
their practice. Almost every great man among them 
has had a system of his own, which has been followed 
by their adherents till some other one is brought forward 
more fashionable. This is, undoubtedly, a great evil, 
for it makes every thing uncertain; where it is con- 
stantly changing, there can be no dependence on any 
thing, and the practice must always be experimental; no 
useful knowledge can be obtained by the young practi- 
tioners, as they will be constantly seeking after new the- 
ories. What should we say of a carpenter who should 
undertake to repair a building without having any rule 
to work by, and should for want of one, destroy the half 
of all he undertook to repair. The employers would 
soon lose all confidence in him, and dismiss him as an 
ignorant blockhead. And is it not of infinitely more im- 
portance for those who undertake to repair the human 
body, to have some correct rule to work by? Their 
practice is founded on visionary theories, which are so 
uncertain and contradictory, that it is impossible to form 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 35 

any correct general rule as a guide to be depended upon. 
In order to show the opinions of others, as well as my 
own, I si i all make a few extracts from late writers on 
the subject. Speaking of the revolutions of medicines, 
one says: 

11 We have now noticed the principal revolutions of 
medicine; and we plainly perceive that the theory of 
medicine, not only has been, but is yet, in an unsettled 
state, that its practical application is wavering, fallacious, 
and extremely pernicious; and taking a survey of the 
various fortunes of the art, we may well say with Bacon, 
that medicine is a science that hath been more professed 
than labored, and yet more labored than advanced, the 
labor having been in a circle, but not in progression." 

"Theories are but the butterflies of the day; they 
buzz for a while and then expire. We can trace for 
many centuries past, one theory overturning another, yet 
each in its succession promising itself immortality." 

"The application of the rules which the practitioner 
lays down to himself is direct, and in their choice, no one 
can err with impunity. The least erroneous view leads 
to some consequence. We must remember the lives of 
our fellow creatures are at stake. For how many cruel 
and premature deaths, how many impaired and debilitated 
constitutions have paid for the folly of theories ? Follies, 
which have proved almost always fascinating. The study 
of a system is more easy than an investigation of nature; 
and in practice, it seems to smooth every difficulty." . 

" In my lectures on the art of physic, says Dr. Ring, 
both theoretical and practical, I have fully proved that 
there is no necessity for that bane of the profession, con- 
jecture or hypothesis; and if I were asked whether, if I 
myself were dangerously ill, I would suffer any hypo- 
thetical, however plausible physician, to prescribe for my 
malady, my answer would be no, assuredly no, unless I 
wished to risk the loss of my life. I could give a re- 
markable instance of this. 

" Speculation and hypothesis are always at variance 
with sound experience and successful practice." 

The above extracts evince the pernicious effects of 
false theory and hypothesis, which at the present day, 
constitute nearly the whole art of physic. 



36 JVew Guide to Health; 

The following just remarks are copied from the writ- 
ings of the Rev. John Wesley. 

" As theories increased, simple medicines were more 
and more disregarded and disused; till, in a course of 
years, the greater part of them were forgotten, at least 
in the more polite nations. In the room of these, abun- 
dance of new ones were introduced, by reasoning, spec- 
ulative men; and those more and more difficult to be 
applied, as being more remote from common observation. 
Hence, rules for the application of these, and medical 
books were immensely multiplied; till at length physic 
became an abstruse science, quite out of the reach of 
ordinary men. Physicians now began to be held in ad- 
miration, as persons who were something more than hu- 
man. And profit attended their, employ, as well as 
honor. So that they had now two weighty reasons for 
keeping the bulk of mankind at a distance, that they 
might not pry into the mysteries of their profession. To 
this end they increased those difficulties, by design, 
which were in a manner by accident. They filled their 
writings with abundance of technical terms, utterly un- 
intelligible to plain men. 

"Those who understood only how to restore the sick 
to health, they branded with the name of Empirics. 
They introduced into practice abundance of compound 
medicines, consisting of so many ingredients, that it was 
scarce possible for common people to know which it was 
that wrought a cure. Abundance of exotics, neither 
the nature nor names of which their own countrymen 
understood." 

" The history of the art of medicine in all ages," says 
Dr. Blane, " so teems with the fanciful influence of su- 
perstitious observances, the imaginary virtues of medi- 
cines with nugatory, delusive, inefficient, and capricious 
practices, fallacious and sophistical reasonings, as to 
render it little more than a chaos of error, a tissue of de- 
ceit unworthy of admission among the useful arts and 
liberal pursuits of man." 



DESCRIPTION 

• or THE 
Vegetable Medicine, used in. my System of Practice* 



In describing those vegetables which I make use of 
in removing disease and restoring the health of the pa- 
tient, agreeably to my system of practice, I shall men- 
tion those only which I have found most useful by a long 
series of practical knowledge; and in the use of which 
I have been successful in effecting the desired object. 
A much greater number of articles in the vegetable king- 
dom, that are useful as medicine, might have been de- 
scribed, and their medical virtues pointed out, if I had 
thought it would be beneficial; in fact, I am confident, 
there are very few vegetable productions of our country, 
that I have not a tolerable good knowledge of, it having 
been my principal study for above forty years; but to 
undertake to describe them all would be useless and un- 
profitable to my readers, and could lead to no good re- 
sult. The plan that I have adopted in describing such 
articles as I have thought necessary to mention, and giv- 
ing directions how to prepare and administer them, is to 
class them under the numbers which form my system of 
practice; this was thought to be the best way to give a 
correct and full understanding of the whole subject. Each 
number is calculated to effect a certain object, which is 
stated in the heading to each as they are introduced; 
every article, therefore, that is useful in promoting such 
objects will be described as applicable to the number un- 
der which it is classed. The three first are used to re- 
move disease and the others as restoratives. There are 
a number of preparations and compounds, that I have 
made use of and found good in curing various complaints; 
the directions for making them and a description of the 
4 



38 JVcw Guide to Health; 

articles of which they are composed are given as far as 
was deemed necessary. The manner of applying them 
will be hereafter more particularly stated, when I come to 
give an account of the manner of treating some of the most 
important cases of disease which have come under my care. 

No. 1. — To cleanse the Stomach, overpower the cold, and 
promote a free perspiration. 

EMETIC HERB. LOBELIA INFLATA OF LIJOEUS. 

In giving a description of this valuable herb, I shall 
be more particular, because it is the most important arti- 
cle made use of in my system of practice, without which 
it would be incomplete, and the medical virtues of which 
and the administering it in curing disease, I claim as my 
own discovery. The first knowledge I ever had of it, 
was obtained by accident more than fifty years ago, and 
never had any information whatever concerning it, ex-, 
cept what I have gained by my own experience. A 
great deal has been said of late about this plant, both in 
favor and against its utility as a medicine; but all that 
the faculty have said or published concerning it, only 
shows their ignorance on the subject; for there is very 
little truth in what they have stated concerning its medi- 
cal properties, except wherein they have admitted it to 
be a certain cure for the asthma, one of the most dis- 
tressing complaints that human nature is subject to. It 
is a truth which cannot be disputed by any one, that all 
they have known about this article, and the experiments 
that have been made to ascertain its value, originated in 
my making use of it in my practice. 

In the course of my practice, a number of the doctors 
discovered that the medicine I made use of, produced 
effects which astonished them, and which they could not 
account for; this induced them to conclude, that because 
it was so powerful in removing disease, it must be 
poison. This I think can be very satisfactorily account- 
ed for; they have no knowledge of any thing in all 
their medical science, which is capable of producing a 
powerful effect upon the human system, except what is 
poisonous, and therefore naturally form their opinions 
agreeably to this erroneous theory. There is a power 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 39 

to produce life and a power to produce death, which are 
of course directly opposed to each other; and whatever 
tends to promote life, cannot cause death, let its power 
be ever so great. In this consists all the difference be- 
tween my system of practice, and that of the learned 
doctors. In consequence of their thus forming an erro- 
neous opinion of this herb, which they had no knowledge 
of, they undertook to represent it as a deadly poison; 
and in order to destroy my practice, they raised a hue- 
and-cry about my killing my patients by administering it 
to them. Some of the faculty even made oath that it 
was poison, and when taken into the stomach, if it did 
not cause immediate vomiting it was certain death. It 
is unnecessary for me now to point out the falsity of this, 
for the fact is pretty well known, that there is no death 
in ft; but, on the contrary, that there is no vegetable 
that the earth produces, more harmless in its effects on 
the human system, and none more powerful in removing 
disease and promoting health. 

There is no mention made of this herb, by any author, 
that I have been able to find, previous to my discovering 
it, excepting by Linaeus, who has given a correct de- 
scription of it under the name of Lobelia Inflata; but 
there is nothing said of its medical properties, it is there- 
fore reasonable to conclude that they were not known till 
I discovered it, and proved it to be useful. When the 
faculty first made the discovery that I used the Emetic 
Herb in my practice, they declared it to be a deadly poi- 
son; and while persecuting me by every means in their 
power, and representing to the world that I killed my 
patients with it, they were very ready to call it my medi- 
cine, and allow it to be my own discovery; but since 
their ignorance of it has been exposed, and they find it 
is going to become an article of great value, an attempt 
seems to be making, to rob me of all the credit for caus- 
ing its value to be known, and the profits which belong 
to me for the discovery. In which some who have been 
instructed by me are ready to join, for the purpose of 
promoting their own interest at my expense. 

Dr. Thacher, in his Dispensatory, has undertaken to 
give an account of this herb; but is very erroneous, ex- 
cept in the description of it, which is nearly correct. 



40 New Guide to Health; 

It appears that all the knowledge he has on the subject, 
as to its virtues, is borrowed from others, and is proba- 
bly derived from the ridiculous ideas entertained of its 
power by those doctors who knew nothing about it, ex- 
cept what they gained by my making use of it, as has 
been before stated. As to its being dangerous to ad- 
minister it, and that if it does not puke, it frequently 
destroys the patient, and sometimes in five or six hours; 
and that even horses and cattle have been supposed to 
be killed by eating it accidentally, is as absurd as it is 
untrue, and only proves their ignorance of the article. 
He tells a melancholy story about the Lobelia Inflata 
being administered by the adventurous hand of a noted 
empiric, who, he says, frequently administered it in a 
dose of a tea spoonful of the powdered leaves, and often 
repeated; which, he says, furnishes alarming examples 
of its deleterious properties, and fatal effects. This, 
there is no doubt, alludes to me, and took its rise from 
the false statements circulated about me at the time of 
my trial, to prejudice the public against my practice. 
It is true, the dose that I usually prescribed is a tea- 
spoonful of the powder; but that it ever produced any 
fatal effect, is altogether incorrect, and is well known 
to be so by all who have any correct knowledge on the 
subject. 

What is quoted in the Dispensatory, from the Rev. 
Dr. M. Cutler, concerning this herb, is, in general, cor- 
rect, particularly as it regards its being a specific for the 
asthma; though he labored under many mistaken no- 
tions about its effects when taken into the stomach; he 
says, "if the quantity be a little increased, it operates 
as an emetic and then as a cathartic, its effects being 
much the same as those of the common emetics and ca- 
thartics." In this he is mistaken, for it is entirely dif- 
ferent from any other emetic known; and as to its oper- 
ating as a cathartic, I never knew it to have such an 
effect in all my practice. And I certainly ought to know- 
something about it, after having made use of it for above 
forty years, and administering it in every form and 
manner that it can be given, and for every disease that 
has come within my knowledge. It appears that all the 
knowledge he and other doctors have got of this herb^ 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 41 

being useful in curing disease, particularly in the asth- 
ma, was obtained from me; for when I was prosecuted, 
I was obliged to expose my discoveries to show the 
falsity of the indictment. Dr. Cutler was brought for- 
ward as a witness at my trial, to prove the virtues of 
this plant by his evidence, that he cured himself of 
the asthma with it. He says the first information he 
had of its being good for that complaint, was from Dr. 
Drury, of Marblehead. In the fall of the year, 1807, 
I introduced the use of the Emetic Herb, tinctured in 
spirit, for the asthma and other complaints of the lungs, 
and cured several of the consumption. In 1808, I cur- 
ed a woman in Newington, of the asthma, who had not 
lain in her bed for six months. I gathered some of the 
young plants not bigger than a dollar, bruised them, and 
tinctured them in spirits, gave her the tincture, and she 
lay in bed the first night. I showed her what it was, 
and how to prepare and use it, and by taking this and 
other things according to my direction, she has enjoyed 
a comfortable state of health for twelve years, and has 
never been obliged to sit up one night since. The same 
fall I used it in Beverly and Salem; and there can be no 
doubt but all the information concerning the value of this 
article, was obtained from my practice. 

After Dr. Cutler had given his testimony of the vir- 
tues of this herb, and the doctors having become con- 
vinced of its value, they come forward and say it is 
good medicine in skilful hands. Who, I would ask, 
is more skilful than he who discovered it, and taught 
them how to prepare and use it in curing one of the 
most distressing complaints known? If it is a good 
medicine, it is mine, and I am entitled to the credit of 
introducing it into use, and have paid dear for it; if it 
is poison, the doctors do not need it, as they have enough 
of that now. Dr. Thacher undertakes to make it ap- 
pear that the fatal effects he tells about its producing, 
was owing to the quantity given; and says I adminis- 
tered a tea-spoonful of the powder; and when he comes 
to give directions for using it, says that from ten to 
twenty grains may be given with safety. It appears 
strange that different terms should produce such different 
4* 



42 Neiv Guide to Health; 

effects in the operation of medicine. If a tea-spoonful 
is given by an empiric, its effects are fatal; but if the 
same quantity is administered by a learned doctor, and 
called grains, it is a useful medicine. 

This herb is described in Thacher's Dispensatory un- 
der the names of Lobelia Inflata, Lobelia Emetica, 
Emetic Weed, and Indian Tobacco; several other 
names have been given it, some by way of ridicule and 
others for the purpose of creating a prejudice against it; 
all of which have so confounded it with other articles that 
there is a difficulty in ascertaining what they mean to 
describe. I have been informed that there is a poisonous 
root which grows in the Southern States, called Lobelia, 
which has been used as a medicine; the calling this herb* 
by that name, has probably been one reason of its being 
thought to be poison. Why it has had the name of In- 
dian Tobacco given it, I know not; there is a plant that 
is called by that name, which grows in this country, but 
is entirely different from this herb both in appearance 
and medical virtues. In the United States Pharmaco- 
poeia, there are directions given for preparing the tinc- 
ture of Indian Tobacco; whether they mean this herb or 
the plant that has been always called by that name, does 
not appear; but it is probable they mean the emetic 
herb, and that all the knowledge they have of it is from 
Dr. Cutler's description. It is said by Thacher, that it 
was employed by the aborigines and by those who deal 
in Indian remedies; and others who are attempting to rob 
me of the discovery affect to believe the same thing; but 
this is formded altogether upon conjecture, for they can- 
not produce a single instance of its having been employ- 
ed as a medicine till I made use of it. The fact is, it is 
a new article, wholly unknown to the medical faculty, 
till I introduced it into use, and the best evidence of this 
is, that they are now ignorant of its powers; and all the 
knowledge they have of it has been obtained from my 
practice. It would be folly for me to undertake to say 
but that it may have been used by the natives of this coun- 
try; but one thing I am certain of, that I never had any 
knowledge of their using it, nor ever received any infor- 
mation concerning it from them, or any one else. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 43 

The Emetic Herb may be found in the first stages of 
its growth at all times through the summer, from the 
bigness of a six cent piece to that of a dollar, and larger, 
lying flat on the ground, in a round form, like a rose 
pressed flat, in order to bear the weight of snow which 
lays on it during the winter, and is subject to be winter- 
killed like wheat. In the spring it looks yellow and 
pale, like other things suffering from wet and cold; but 
when the returning sun spreads forth its enlivening rays 
upon it, it lifts up its leaves and shoots forth a stalk to the 
height of from twelve to fifteen inches, with a number 
of branches, carrying up its leaves with its growth, in 
July it puts forth small pointed pale blue blossoms, which 
is followed by small pods about the size of a white 
bean, containing numerous very small seeds. This pod 
is an exact resemblance of the human stomach, having 
an inlet and outlet higher than the middle: from the 
inlet it receives nourishment, and by the outlet dis- 
charges the seeds. It comes to maturity about the first 
of September, when the leaves and pods turn a little 
yellow; this is the best time to gather it. It is what is 
called by botanists, a bienneal plant, or of only two 
years existence. 

This plant is common in all parts of this country. 
Wherever the land is fertile enough to yield support for 
its ' inhabitants it may be found. It is confined to no 
soil which is fit for cultivation, from the highest moun- 
tains to the lowest valleys. In hot and wet seasons it is 
most plenty on dry and warm lands; in hot and dry 
seasons on clayey and heavy lands. When the season 
is cold, either wet or dry, it rarely makes its appearance; 
and if the summer and fall is very dry the seed does 
not come up, and of course there will be very little to 
be found the next season. I have been in search of 
this herb from Boston to Canada, and was*not able to 
collect more than two pounds; and in some seasons I 
have not been able to collect any. I mention this to 
show the uncertainty of its growth, and to put the peo- 
ple on their guard to be careful and lay up a good stock 
of it when plenty. In the year 1807, if I had offered a 
reward of a thousand dollars for a pound of this herb, I 
should not have been able to have obtained it. I have 



44 New Guide to Health; 

seen the time that I would have given two dollars for an 
ounce of the powder, but there was none to be had; 
which necessity taught me to lay up all I could obtain 
when it was plenty. 

In seasons when this herb is plenty, it may be found 
growing in highways and pastures, by the side of old 
turnpikes, and in stubble land, particularly where it has 
been laid down to grass the year before; when grass is 
scarce, it is eaten by cattle, and is hard to be found 
when full grown. It is a wild plant, and a native of this 
country; but there is no doubt of its being common to 
other countries. It may be transplanted and cultivated 
in gardens, and will be much larger and more vigourous 
than when growing wild. If some stalks are left, it 
will sow itself, and probably may be produced from the 
seed; but how long the seeds remain in the ground be- 
fore they come up, I do not know, never having made 
any experiments to ascertain the fact. It is certain that 
it is produced from the seed, and there is no good reason 
to suppose that it may not be cultivated in gardens from 
the seed as well as other vegetables; I think it most 
probable, however, from the nature of the plant, that it 
will not come up till the seeds have laid at least one win- 
ter in the ground. 

This plant is different in one very important particu- 
lar, irom all others that I have a knowledge of, that the 
same quantity will produce the same effect in all stages 
of its growth, from its first appearance till it comes to 
maturity; but the best time for gathering it, as has be- 
fore been mentioned, is when the leaves and pods begin 
to turn yellow, for then the seed is ripe, and you have all 
there can be of it. It should then be cut and kept clean, 
and spread in a large chamber or loft, to dry, where 
it is open to the air in the day time, and to be shut from 
the damp air during the night. When perfectly dry, shake 
out the seed and sift it through a common meal sieve, and 
preserve it by itself; then beat off the leaves and pods from 
the stalks, and preserve them clean. This herb may be 
prepared for use in three different ways: viz. 1st. The 
powdered leaves and pods. 2d. A tincture made from 
the green herb with spirit. 3d. The seeds reduced to a 
fine powder and compounded with Nos. 2 and 6. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 45 

1. After the leaves and pods are separated from the 
stalks, p )uud or grind them in a mortar to fine powder, 
sift it through a tine sieve, and preserve it from the air. 
This is the m ut common preparation, and may he given 
in many diifcrent ways, either by itself or compounded 
with other articles. For a common dose, take a tea- 
spojnful of this powder with the same quantity of sugar 
in half a tea-cupful of warm water, or a tea of No. 3 
may be used instead of the water; this dose may be 
taken all at one time, or at three times, at intervals of 
ten miiuf.es. For a young child strain off the liquor 
and give a part as circumstances shall require. There 
is but one way in which this herb can be prepared, that 
it will refuse its services, and that is when boiled or 
scalded; it is therefore important to bear in mind that 
there m j it never be any thing put to it warmer than a 
bio >d heat. 

2. To prepare the tincture, take the green herb in 
any sta^e of its growth, if the small plants are used, take 
roots aid all, put them into a mortar and pound them 
fine, then add the same quantity of good spirits; when 
well pounded and worked together, strain it through a 
fine cloth and squeeze and press it hard to get out all the 
luice; save the liquor in bottles, close stopped, for use. 
Go)d vinegar, or pepper-sauce may be used instead of 
the spirit. Prepared in this manner, it is an effectual 
counter-poison, either taken, or externally applied. It 
is also an excellent medicine for the asthma, and all 
complaints of the lungs. This is the only way in which 
the doctors have made use of the Emetic Herb; 
and they acknowledge it to be one of the best remedies 
in many complaints, that has bsen found, though they 
knr.v but little about it. For a dose, take from half to 
a tea-spoonful. Its effects will be more certain if about 
the same quantity of No. 2, is added, and in all cases 
where there are nervous symptoms, add half a tea-spoon- 
full of nerve powder, Umbil, to the dose. 

3. Reduce the seeds to a fine powder in a mortar, and 
take half an ounce of this powder, or about a large 
spoonful, with the same quantity of No. 2, made fine, 
and put them in a gill of No. 6, adding a tea-spoonful of 
Umbil; to be kept close stopped in a bottle for use; 



46 New Guide to Health; 

when taken, to be well shaken together. This prepara* 
tion is for the most violent attacks of disease, such as 
lock-jaw, bite of mad dog, drowned persons, fits, spasms, 
and in all cases of suspended animation, where the vital 
spark is nearly extinct. It will go through the system 
like electricity, giving heat and life to every part. In 
cases where the spasms are so violent that they are 
stiff, and the jaws become set, by pouring some of this 
liquid into the mouth between the cheek and teeth, as 
soon as it touches the glands at the roots of the tongue, 
the spasms will relax, and the jaws will become loosen- 
ed so that the mouth will open; then give a dose of it, 
and as soon as the spasms have abated, repeat it, and af- 
terwards give a tea of No. 3, for canker. This course 
I never knew fail of giving relief. It is good in less 
violent cases, to bring out the measles and small pox; 
and if applied to pimples, warts, &c. will remove them. 
I have cured three dogs with this preparation, who were 
under the most violent symptoms of hydrophobia; one 
of my agents cured a man with it who had been bitten 
by a mad dog; and I have not the least doubt of its be- 
ing a specific for that disease. For a dose, take a tea- 
spoonful. 

Much has been said of the power of the Emetic Herb, 
and some have expressed fears of it on that account; 
but I can assure- the public, that there is not the least 
danger in using it; I have given it to children from one 
day old to persons of eighty years. It is most powerful 
in removing disease, but innocent on nature. Its oper- 
ation in different persons, is according to their different 
tempers, moving with the natural current of the animal 
spirits. There is two cases where this medicine will 
not operate, viz. when the patient is dying, and where 
there is no death; or in other words, when there is no 
disease. There can be no war where there is no enemy. 
When there is no cold in the body there is nothing to 
contend against, and when there is no heat in the body 
there is nothing to kindle; in either case therefore this 
medicine is silent and harmless. It is calculated to re- 
move the cause and no more, as food removes hunger, 
and drink, thirst. It clears all obstructions to the ex- 
tremities, without regard to the names of disease, until 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 47 

it produces an equilibrium in the system, and will be felt 
in the fingers and toes, producing a prickling feeling like 
that caused by a knock of the elbow; this symptom is 
alarming to those unacquainted with its operation; but is 
always favorable, being a certain indication of the turn 
of the disorder, and they generally gain from that time. 

In regard to the quantity to be given as a dose, it is 
matter of less consequence than is generally imagined. 
The most important thing is to give enough to produce 
the desired effect. If too little is given, it will worry 
the patient, and do little good; if more is given than 
what is necessary, the surplus will be thrown off, and is 
a waste of medicine. I have given directions what I 
consider as a proper dose in common cases, of the dif- 
ferent preparations, but still it must be left to the judg- 
ment of those who use it, how much to give. The most 
safe way will be to give the smallest prescribed dose 
first, then repeat it till it produce the wished operation. 
In cases where the stomach is cold and very foul, its 
operation will be slow and uncertain; in which case 
give No. 2, which will assist it in doing its work. See 
also, page 90, § 11. 

When this medicine is given to patients that are in 
a decline, or are laboring under a disease of long stand- 
ing, the symptoms indicating a crisis will not take place 
till they have been carried through from three to eight 
courses of the medicine; and the lower they have been, 
the more alarming will be the symptoms. I have seen 
some who would lay and sob like a child that had been 
punished, for two hours, not able to speak or to raise 
their hand to their head; and the next day be about, and 
soon get well. In cases where they have taken consid- 
erable opium, and this medicine is administered, it will 
in its operation produce the same appearances and symp- 
toms that is produced by opium when first given, which 
having laid dormant, is roused into action by the en- 
livening qualities of this medicine, and they will be 
thrown into a senseless state ; the whole system will be 
one complete mass of confusion, tumbling in every direc- 
tion; will take two or three to hold them on the bed; 
they grow cold as though dying ; remaining in this way 
from two to eight hours, and then awake, like one from 



48 Netu Guide to Health; 

sleep after a good night's rest ; be entirely calm and sensi- 
ble as though nothing had ailed them. It is seldom they 
ever have more than one of these turns; as it is the last 
struggle of the disease, and they generally begin to recov- 
er from that time. 1 have been more particular in 
describing these effects of the medicine, as they are very 
alarming to those unacquainted with them, in order to 
show that there is no danger to be apprehended, as it is 
certain evidence of a favorable turn of the disease. 

The Emetic Herb is of great value in preventing sick- 
cess as well as curing it; by taking a dose when first 
attacked by any complaint it will throw it off, and fre- 
quently prevent long sickness. It not only acts as an 
emetic, and throws off the stomach every thing that 
nature does not require for support of the system; 
but extends its effects to every part of the body. It is 
searching, enlivening, quickening and has a great power 
in removing all obstructions; but it soon exhausts itself, 
and if not followed by seme other medicine to hold the 
vital heat till nature is able to support itself by digesting 
the food, it will not be sufficient to remove a disease 
that has become seated. To effect this important object, 
put me to much trouble, and after trying many experi- 
ments to get something that would answer the purpose, 
I found that what is described under No. 2, was the best 
and only medicine I have a knowledge of, that would 
hold the heat in the stomach, and not evaporate; and 
bv giving No. 3, to remove the canker, which is the great 
cause of disease ; and then following with Nos. 4 and 5, to 
correct the bile, restore the digestion, and strengthen 
the system, I have had little trouble in effecting a cure. 
Directions for preparing &c. — see page 79. 



No. 2. — To retain the internal vital heat of the system 
and cause a free perspiration. 

CAYENNE. CAPSICUM. 

This article being so well known it will be unnecessa- 
ry to be very particular in describing it. It has been a 
long time used for culinary purposes, and comes to us 
prepared for use by being ground to powder, and a pro- 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 49 

portion of salt mixed with it; this destroys, in some de- 
gree, its stimulating effects, and makes it less pungent; 
but it is not so good for medicine as in its pure state. 
It is said to be a native of South America, and is culti- 
vated in many of the West India Islands; that which 
comes to this country, is brought from Demarara and 
Jamaica. It also grows in other parts of the world. I 
once bought one hundred pounds of it in the pod, which 
was brought from the Coast of Guinea; had it ground at 
Portsmouth, and it was as good as any I ever used. 
There are several species that are described under the 
name of Capsicum; all of which are about the same, as 
to their stimulating qualities. The pods only are used; 
they are long and pointed, are of a green color till ripe, 
when they turn of a bright orange red. When the pods 
are green, they are gathered and preserved in salt and 
water and brought to this country in bottles, when vine- 
gar is put to, them, which is sold under the name of Pep- 
per-Sauce. The ripe pods ground to a powder is what is 
used for medicine and cooking; but the Pepper-Sauce is 
very good to be taken as medicine and applied externally; 
the green pods hold their attracting power till ripe, and 
therefore keep their strength much longer when put in 
vinegar; as the bottle may be filled up a number of times, 
and the strength seems to be the same; but when the 
ripe pods are put in vinegar, the first time will take near- 
ly all the strength. 

I shall not undertake to dispute but that Cayenne has 
been used for medical purposes, long before I had any 
knowledge of it; and that it is one of the safest and best 
articles ever discovered to remove disease, I know to be 
a fact, from long experience; but it is equally true, that 
the medical faculty never considered it of much value, 
and the people had no knowledge of it as a medicine, till 
I introduced it, by making use of it in my practice. Men- 
tion is made of Cayenne in the Edinburgh Dispensatory, 
as chiefly employed for culinary purposes, but that of late 
it has been employed also in the practice of medicine. 
The author says that "there can be little doubt that it 
furnishes one of the purest and strongest stimulants which 
can be introduced into the stomach; while at the same 
time it has nothing of the narcotic effects of ardent spirits. 
5 



60 New Guide to Health; 

It is said to have been used with success in curing some 
cases of disease, that had resisted all other remedies.'' 
All this I am satisfied is true, for if given as a med- 
icine, it always will be found useful; but all the knowl- 
edge they had of it seems to have been derived from a 
few experiments that had been made, without fixing upon 
any particular manner of preparing or administenng it, 
or in what disease, as is the case with all other articles 
that are introduced into general practice. InThacher's 
Dispensatory, the same account is given of Cayenne, as 
in the Edinburgh, and in almost the same words. 

I never had any knowledge of Cayenne being useful 
as a medicine, or that it had ever been used as such, till 
I discovered it by accident, as has been the case with 
most other articles used by me. After I had fixed upon 
a system for my government in practice, I found much 
difficulty in getting something that would not only pro- 
duce a strong heat in the body, but would retain it till 
the canker could be removed, and the digestive powers 
restored, so that the food, by being properly digested, 
would maintain the natural heat. 1 tried a great num- 
ber of, articles that were of a hot nature; but could find 
nothing that would hold the heat any length of time, 
I made use of ginger, mustard, horse-radish, peppermint, 
butternut bark, and many other hot things; but they 
were dl more or less volatile, and would not have the 
desired effect. With these, however, and the Emetic 
Herb, together with the aid of steam, I was enabled to 
practice with pretty general success. In the fall of the 
year 1805, I was out in search of Umbil, on a mountain, 
in Walpole, N. H. I went into a house at the foot of 
the mountain, to inquire for some rattlesnake oil; 
while in the house, I saw a large string of red peppers 
hanging in the room, which put me in mind of what I 
had been a long time in search of, to retain the internal 
heat. I knew them to be very hot; but did not know of 
what nature. I obtained these peppers, carried them 
home, reduced them to powder, and took some of the 
powder myself, and found it to answer the purpose bet- 
ter than any thing else I had made use of. I put it in 
spirit with the Emetic Herb, and gave the tincture mix- 
ed in a tea of witch-hazle leaves, and found that it would 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 51 

retain the heat in the stomach after puking; and pre- 
serve the strength of the patient in proportion. I made 
use of it in different ways for two years, and always with 
good success. 

In the fall of 1897, I was in Newbury port, and saw a 
bottle of pepper-sauce, being the first i had ever seen; 
I bought it and carried it home; got some of the same 
kind of pepper that was dried, which I put into the bot- 
tle; this made it very hot. On my way home, was taken 
unwell, and was quite cold; I took a swallow from the 
bottle, which caused violent pain for a few minutes, when 
it produced perspiration, and I soon grew easy. I after- 
wards tried it and found that after it had expelled the 
cold, it would not cause pain. From these experiments, 
1 became convinced that this kind of pepper was much 
stronger, and would be better for medical use than the 
common red pepper. Soon after this, I was again in 
Newhuryport, and made inquiry, and found some Cay- 
enne; but it was prepared with salt for table use, which 
injured it for medical purposes. I tried it by tasting, 
and selected that which had the least salt in it. I af- 
terwards made use of this article, and found it to an^ 
swer all the purposes wished; and was the very thing 
I had long±>een in search of. The next year I went to 
Portsmouth, and made inquiries concerning Cayenne, 
and from those who dealt in the article, I learned that it 
was brought to this country from Demarara and Jamaica, 
prepared only for table use, and that salt was put with 
it to preserve it and make it more palateable. I became 
acquainted with a French gentleman who had a brother 
in Demarara; and made arrangements with him to send 
to his brother, and request him to procure some, and 
have it prepared without salt. He did so, and sent 
out a box containing about eighty pounds, in a pure 
state. I sent also by many others, that were going to 
the places where it grows, to procure all they could; 
in consequence of which, large quantities were import- 
ed into Portsmouth, much more than there was imme- 
diate demand for. I was not able to purchase but a 
small part of what was brought, and it was bought 
up by others on speculation, and sent to Boston; the 
consequence was, that the price was so much reduced, 



52 New Guide to Health; 

that it would not bring the first cost, which put a 
stop to its being imported, and it has since been veiy 
scarce. 

When I first began to use this article, it caused much 
talk among the people in Portsmouth, and the adjoining 
towns; the doctors tried to frighten them by telling that 
I made use of Cayenne Pepper as a medicine, and that 
it would burn up the stomach and lungs as bad as vitriol. 
The people, generally, however, became convinced by- 
using it, that all the doctors said about it was false> 
and it only proved their ignorance of its medicinal vir-r 
tues, and their malignity towards me. It soon came 
into general use, and the knowledge of its being useful 
in curing disease was spread all through the country. I 
made use of it in curing the spotted fever, and where it 
was known, was the only thing depended on for that 
disease. I have made use of Cayenne in all kinds of 
disease, and have given it to patients of all ages and 
under every circumstance that has come under my 
practice; and can assure the public, that it is perfect- 
ly harmless, never having known it to produce any bad 
effects whatever. It is no doubt the most powerful 
stimulant, known; its power is entirely congenial to na- 
ture, being powerful only in raising and maintaining- 
that heat on which life depends. It is extremely pun- 
gent, and when taken, sets the mouth as it were on fire; 
this lasts, however, but a few minutes, and I consider 
it essentially a benefit, for its effects on the glands caus- 
es the saliva to flow freely, and leaves the mouth clean 
and moist. 

The only preparation necessary, is to have it ground 
or, pounded to a fine powder. For a dose, from half to 
a tea-spoonful may be taken in hot water sweetened,, 
or the same quantity may be mixed with either of the 
other numbers when taken. It will produce a free 
perspiration, which should be kept up by repeating the 
dose, until the disease is removed. A spoonful, with 
an equal quantity of common salt, put into a gill of vin- 
egar, makes a very good sauce, to be eaten on meat, and 
will assist the appetite and strengthen the digesturc 
One spoonful of this preparation may be taken to good 
advantage, and will remove faint, sinking feelings, which 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 53 

some are subject to, especially in the spring of the year. 
Pepper-sauce is good for the same purpose. A tea-spoon- 
ful of Cayenne may be taken in a tumbler of cider, and 
is much better than ardent spirits. There is scarce any 
preparation of medicine that I make use of, in which I 
do not put some of this article. It will cure the ague in 
(he face, by taking a dose, and tying a small quantity in 
fine cloth, and put it between the cheek and teeth, on 
the side that is affected, setting by the fire covered with 
a blanket. It is good to put on old sores. 

RED PEPPERS. 

These are veyy plenty in this country, being cultivat- 
ed in gardens, and are principally made use of for pick- 
ling; for which purpose the pods are gathered when 
green, and preserved in vinegar. It is of the same na- 
ture as Cayenne pepper, but not so strong; and is the 
best substitute for that article, of any thing I have ever 
found. For medical use they should not be gathered till 
ripe, when they are of a bright red color; should be 
reduced to a fine powder, and may be used instead of 
Cayenne, when that article cannot be obtained. 

GINGER. 

This is a root which is brought from foreign coun- 
tries, and is too well known to need any further descrip- 
tion. It is a very good article, having a warming and 
agreeable effect on the stomach. It is a powerful stim- 
ulant, and is not volatile like many other hot articles; 
and is the next best thing to raise the inward heat and 
promote perspiration; and may be used with good suc- 
cess for that purpose, as a substitute for Cayenne, when 
that or the red peppers cannot be had. It is sold in 
the shops, . ground, but is sometimes mixed with other 
articles to increase the quantity, and is not so strong. 
The best way is to get the roots, and gring or pound 
ihem to a fine powder. The dose must be regulated 
according to circumstances; if given to raise the in- 
ternal heat, and cause perspiration, it must be repeated 
4ill it has the desired effect. It makes an excellent 
poultice, mixed with pounded cracker, or slippery-elna 
&£rk, for which I make much use of it. To keep & 
5* 



54 JSfeye Guide to Health; 

piece of the root in the mouth and chew it like tobacco? 
swallowing the juice, is very good for a cough, and 
those pf a consumptive habit; and this should be also 
done by all who are exposed to any contagion, or are at- 
tending on the sick, as it will guard the stomach against 
taking the disease. It may be taken in hot water sweet- 
ened, or in a tea of No. 3. 

BLACK PEPPER. 

This may be used to good advantage as a substitute 
for the foregoing articles, when they are not to be had, 
and may be prepared and administered in the same man- 
ner. These four that I have mentioned, are all the ar- 
ticles I have been able to find, that would hold the heat 
of the body for any length of time; all the others that 
I have tried, are so volatile, that they do little good. 
See Directions, page 80. 



No. 3. — To scour the Stomach and Bowels, and remove 
the Canker. 

Under this head, I shall describe such vegetable pro- 
ductions as are good for Canker, and which I have found 
to be best in removing the thrush from the throat, stomach 
and bowels, caused by colds, and there will be more or 
less of it in all cases of disease; for when cold gets 
the power over the inward heat, the stomach and bowels 
become coated with canker, which prevents those nu- 
merous little vessels, calculated to nourish the system, 
from performing their duty. A cure, therefore, cannot 
be effected without removing this difficulty, which must 
be done by such things as are best calculated to scour 
off the canker and leave the juices flowing free. There 
are many articles which are good for this, but I shall 
mention only such as I have found to be the best. 
Several things that are used for canker, are too bind- 
ing, and do more hurt than good, as they cause obstruc- 
tions. I have adopted a rule to ascertain what is good 
for canker, which I have found very useful; and shall 
here give it as a guide for others; that is, to chew 
some of the article, and if it causes the saliva to flow 



or, Boiamc Family Physician. 55 

freely, and leaves the mouth clean and moist, it is 
good; but, on the other hand, if it dries up the juices, 
and leaves the mouth rough and dry, it is bad, and 
should be avoided. 

eayberry; or candleberry. 

This is a species of the myrtle, from which wax is 
obtained from the berries, and grows common in many 
parts of this country. It is a shrub growing from two 
to four feet high, and is easily known by the berries 
which it produces annually, containing wax in abund- 
ance; these grow on the branches close to them, similar 
to the juniper; the leaves are of a deep green. The 
bark of the roots is what is used for medicine, and should 
be collected in the spring, before it puts forth its leaves, 
or in the fall, after done growing, as then the sap is in 
the roots; this should be attended to in gathering all 
kinds of medicinal roots; but thoee things that the tops 
are used, should be collected in the summer when near- 
ly full grown, as then the sap is in the top. The roots 
should be dug and cleaned from the dirt, and pounded 
with a mallet or club, when the bark is easily separated 
from the stalk, and may be obtained with little trouble. 
It should be dried in a chamber or loft, where it is not 
exposed to the weather; and when perfectly- dry, should 
be ground or pounded to a fine powder. It is an ex- 
cellent medicine, either taken by itself or compounded 
with other articles; and is the best thing for canker of 
any article I have ever found. It is highly stimulating 
and very pungent, pricking the glands and causing the 
saliva and other juices to flow freely. Is good used as 
tooth powder, cleanses the teeth and gums, and removes' 
the scurvy; taken as snuff, it clears the head and re- 
lieves the head-ache. It may be given to advantage in 
a relax, and all disorders of the bowels. When the stom- 
ach is very foul, it will frequently operate as an emetic. 
For a dose, take a tea-spoonful in hot water, sweetened. 

WHITE POND LILY the Root. 

This is well known from the beautiful flower which 
it bears, opening only to the sun, and closing again at 



56 New Guide to Health; 

night. It grows in fresh water ponds, and is common in 
all parts of this country where I have been. The best 
time to gather it, is in the fall of the year, when dry, 
and the water in the ponds is low, as it may then be ob- 
tained with little difficulty. It has large roots, which 
should be dug, washed clean, split into strips, and dried 
as has been directed for the Bay berry root bark. When 
perfectly dry, it should be pounded in a mortar, and pre- 
served lor use. This article is a very good medicine for 
canker, and all complaints of the bowels, given in a tea 
alone, or mixed with other articles. 

hemlock — the inner Bark. 

This is the common Hemlock tree, and grows in all 
parts of New England. The best for medicine is to 
peel the bark from the young tree, and shave the ross 
from the outside, and preserve only the inner rind; dry 
it carefully, and pound or grind it to a powder. This 
article, with some further remarks upon it, has been re- 
tained in all former editions of this work; but it has been 
found by long practice that it is of too drying a nature, 
operating too much as an astringent. I have, therefore, 
wholly laid it aside, and would not recommend it to be 
used as medicine, when any of the other articles recom- 
mended for the same purpose can be obtained. This, 
with Bayberry bark and the Lily root, I formerly used 
in No. 3, or what has been cemmonly called coffee, 
though many other things may be added, or either of them 
may be used to advantage alone. The boughs, made in- 
to a tea, are very good lor gravel and other obstructions 
of the urinary passages, and for rheumatism. 

MARSH ROSEMARY— :7l6 Root, 

This article is very well known in all parts of this 
country, and has been made use offer canker and sore 
mouth. I have made use of it with Bayberry bark as 
No. 3, in my practice, for many years, with good sue* 
cess; but after finding that the Lily root was better, 
have mostly laid it aside. It is so binding in its na* 
lure, that it is not safe to use it without a large propor* 
it on of the Bayberry bark. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 57 

sumach — -the Bark, Leaves and Berries. 

This appears to be a new article in medicine, entirely 
unknown to the medical faculty, as no mention is made 
of it by any author. The first of my knowledge that it 
was good for canker, was when at Onion River in 1837, 
attending the dysentery; being in want of something to 
clear the stomach and bowels in that complaint, found 
that the bark, leaves or berries answered the purpose 
extremely well, and have made much use of it ever 
since. It is well known, and is found in all parts of the 
country; some of it grows from eight to twelve feet high, 
and has large spreading branches; the berries grow in 
large bunches, and when ripe, are a deep red color, of 
a pleasant sour taste; and are used by the country peo- 
ple to die with. The leaves and young sprouts are made 
use of in tanning morocco leather. For medicine, the 
bark should be peeled when full of sap, the leaves, when 
full grown, and the berries, when ripe; they should be 
carefully dried, and when used as part of No. 3, should 
be pounded, and may be used altogether, or either sepa- 
rate. A tea made of either or altogether, is very good, 
and may be given with safety in almost all complaints, 
or put into the injections. It will scour the stomach and 
bowels, and is good for strangury, as it promotes urine 
and relieves difficulties in the kidneys, by removing ob- 
structions and strengthening those parts. I have been 
in the habit, of late years, of making use of this article 
with Bay berry bark and Lily root, equal parts, for No. 
3, or coffee, and it has always answered a good purpose. 
But the Bayberry is sufficient of itself; but if the Bay- 
berry cannot be had, the other articles may be used, ei- 
ther simple or compounded. 

witch-hazle — the Leaves. 

I found the use of this article as medicine, when I 
was quite young; and have made much use of it in all 
my practice. It is too well known in the country to 
need any description; is a small tree or bush, and grows 
very common, especially in new land. A tea made of 
the leaves, is an excellent medicine in many complaints, 



58 Mw Guide to Health; 

and may be freely used to advantage. It is the best 
thing for bleeding at the stomach, of any article I have 
ever found, either by giving a tea made of the dry leaves, 
or chewing them when green; have cured several with 
it. This complaint is caused by canker eating off the 
small blood-vessels, and this medicine will remove the 
canker and stop the bleeding. I have made much use 
of the tea, made strong for injections, and found it in all 
complaints of the bowels, to be very serviceable. An 
injection made of this tea, with a little of No. 2, is good 
for the piles, and many complaints common to females; 
and in bearing-down pains it will afford immediate relief, 
if properly administered. ■ These leaves may be used in 
No. 3, to good advantage, as a substitute for either of 
the other articles, or alone for the same purpose. 

red-raspberry — the Leaves. 

This is an excellent article, and I believe was never 
made use of as medicine, till discovered by me. When 
at Eastport, I had no article with me good for canker, 
and resorted to my old rule of tasting, and found that 
these leaves were good for that complaint; made into a 
strong tea, it answered every purpose wished. I gath- 
ered a large quantity of the leaves, and dried them, and 
have been in constant use of it as a medicine ever since, 
and have found it an excellent article, both for canker 
and many other complaints; for relax and other bowel 
complaints of children, it is the best thing that I have 
found; by giving the tea and using it in the injections, 
it affords immediate relief. A tea made of the leaves 
sweetened, with milk in it, is very pleasant, and may be 
used freely. It is the best thing for women in travail, 
of any article I know of. Give a strong tea of it, with 
a little of No. 2, sweetened, and it will regulate every 
thing as nature requires. If the pains are untimely, it 
will make all quiet; if timely and lingering, give more 
No. 2, and Umbil in the tea. When the child is born, 
give it some of the tea with sugar and milk in it; this 
prevents sore mouth; and the tea is good to wash sore 
nipples with. A poultice made with this tea and crack- 
er, or slippery elm bark, is very good for burns or 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 59 

scalds; if the skin is off, by applying this poultice or 
washing with the tea, it will harden and stop smarting. 
It may be used in No. 3, as a substitute for other arti- 
cles, or alone, to good effect. 

sqjjaw-weed — Indian name Cocash. 

This is known in the country by the name of frost- 
weed, or meadow-scabish; it is a wild weed, and grows 
in wet land, by the sides of brooks; it has a stalk that 
grows four or five feet high, which is rough and woolly, 
with a narrow leaf; and bears a blue blossom late in 
the fall, which remains till the frost kills it. The root 
lives through the winter, and in the spring puts forth 
a new stalk; the leaves at the bottom remain green 
through the winter. The roots and top are used for 
medicine; it has a fragrant taste and smell like lovage. 
It was the first thing T ever knew used for canker, and 
was given to me when I had the canker-rash, being con- 
sidered then the best article known for canker; I have 
frequently used it for that complaint, and found it very 
good. Take the green roots and leaves, bruise them, 
and pour on hot water; give this tea, sweetened. It 
may be kept by adding a little spirit, and is good for 
rheumatism and nervous affections. It is perfectly harm- 
less and may be used freely. It makes a very good bit- 
ter, tinctured with hot water and spirit, and is good for 
dizziness and cold hands and feet. See Directions, &c, 
page 80. 



No. 4. — Bitters, to correct the Bile, and restore Di- 
gestion. 

BITTER HEPwB, or BALMONY. 

This herb grows in wet mowing land, by the side of 
brooks; it is about the size of mint, the leaves some 
larger; the stalk is four square; the leaves are of a 
dark green, of a sweetish bitter taste. It bears a white 
blossom of singular form, resembling a snake's head with 
the mouth open. This herb is very good to correct the 
bile, and create an appetite. A tea of it may be used 



60 ♦ New Guide to' Health; 

alone, or it may be added to the other articles described 
under this number, which are all calculated to restore 
the digestive powers, 

POPLAR BARK. 

There are several species of the poplar tree, that 
grow common in this country. One kind is called the 
X white poplar, and another stinking poplar; the bark of 
both these kinds are good for medicine; but the latter 
is the best, being the most bitter. It has tags hanging , 
on the limbs, which remain on till it leaves out, which 
is about a week later than the other kind. It has short 
brittle twigs, which are extremely bitter to the taste. 
The inner bark, given in tea, is one of the best articles 
to regulate the bile and restore the digestive pow r ers, of 
any thing I have ever used. The bark may be taken 
from the body of the tree, the limbs or the roots, and the 
outside shaved off and preserve the inner bark, which 
should be dried and carefully preserved for use. To 
make the bitters, No. 4, it should be pounded or ground 
fine, and mixed with the other articles, or it may be used i 
alone for the same purpose. To make a tea, take a hand- 
ful of the bark pounded or cut into small strips, and put 
into a quart mug, and fill it with boiling water, which if 
taken freely will relieve a relax, head-ache, faintness at 
the stomach, and many other complaints caused by bad 
digestion. Is good for obstructions of the urine, and 
weakness in the loins; and those of a. consumptive habit 
will find great relief in using this tea freely. 

barberry — the Bark. 

This is a well known shrub, producing red berries, of 
a pleasant sour taste, which are much used as a pickle, 
and are also preserved with sugar or molasses. The 
bark of the root or top is a good bitter, and useful to cor- 
rect the bile, and assist the digesture. The bark should 
be collected at the proper season, carefully dried and 
pounded or ground to fine powder; and is used as a part 
of the bitters, No. 4. A tea made of this bark is very 
good for all cases of indigestion, and may be freely used. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. $1 



BITTER-ROOT, OC WANDERING MILK-WEED. 

This valuable vegetable grows in meadows and in 
hedges, and in appearance is something like buckwheat, 
havin^ similar white blossoms; when the stalk is broken 
it discharges a milky substance ; it has two small pods, 
about the size of the cabbage seed pods, with a silky 
substance. This herb is wandering, that is, the roots 
run about under ground to a considerable distance and 
produce many stalks, which grow up from different parts 
of the root to the height of about two feet. The kind 
that is commonly known by the name of -wandering 
milk-weed, grows only on upiand; there is another kind 
which grows near rivers sad on islands, where high wa- 
ter flows over it ; this di/fers some from the other in appear- 
ance; the roots run deep in the sand; it has leaves and 
pods like the first, and both are good for medicine. The 
bark of the root is used. The roots should be dug and 
dried; and when perfectly dry, may be pounded in a 
mortar, when the bark is easily separated from the woody 
part. This root is very bitter, and is one of the greatest 
correctors of the bile I know of; and is an excellent 
medicine to remove costiveness, as it will cause the bow- 
els to move in a natural manner. A strong decoction of 
this root, made by steeping it in hot water, if drank free- 
ly, will operate as a cathartic, and sometimes as an emet- 
ic; and is most sure to throw off a fever in its first stages. 
It should be used in all cases of costiveness. 

golden seal; or, ohio kercuma — the Root 

This article grows only in the Western country; I 
am not well enough acquainted with the herb, to give 
a description of itj but of the medical virtues of the 
root, I have had a sufficient experience, to recommend 
it as a very pleasant bitter, and in cases where the food 
in the stomach of weak patients causes distress, a tea- 
spoonful of the powder, given in hot water, sweetened, 
will give immediate relief. It is an excellent corrector 
of the bile, and may be used for that purpose alone, or 
6 



62 JVeto Guide to Health; 

with the bitter root, or may be compounded with either 
or all the articles described under this number, to restore 
the digestive powers. See directions, &c. page 82, 



The purposes for which the articles described under 
this head are used, is to regulate the stomach, so that 
the food taken into it, may be properly digested; and I 
have mentioned enough to enable those who make use 
of the practice to effect that object, if properly attended 
to. This is a very important part of the system of prac- 
tice, for unless the food is digested, it is impossible to 
keep up that heat upon which life depends. 



No. 5. — Syrup for the Dysentery, to strengthen the Stom~ 
aih and Boivels, and restore weak patients. 

The articles used in this preparation, are the bark of 
poplar and bayberry, which have been described, peach- 
meats, or meats of cherry-stones, sugar and brandy. 

TEACH-MEATS. 

The meats that are in the peach stones have long been 
used as medicine, and need but little to be said about 
them, except that they are of great value to strengthen 
the stomach and bowels, and restore the digesture; for 
which purpose I have made much use of them, and al- 
ways to good advantage. Made into a cordial with oth- 
er articles, in the manner as will be hereafter directed, 
forms one of the best remedies I know of, to recover the 
natural tone of the stomach after long sickness; and to 
restore weak patients, particularly in dysentery. A tea 
made of the leaves of the peach-tree is very good for 
bowel complaints in children and young people, and will 
remove cholic. 

CHERRY-STONES, 

The meats of the wild cherry stones are very good, 
and may be used instead of the peach-meats, when the/ 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 63 

cannot be had. Get these stones as clean as possible, 
when well dried, pound them in a mortar, and separate 
the meats from the stones, which is done with little trou- 
ble; take the same quantity as is directed, of the peach- 
meats, and it will answer equally as well. A tea made 
of the cherries, pounded with the stones, and steeped in 
hot water, sweetened with loaf sugar, to which add a 
little brandy, is good to restore the digestive powers, and 
create an appetite. 

Bitter almonds may be used as a substitute for the 
peach-meats or cherry-stones, when they cannot be had. 
See Directions, &c. page 82. 



No. 6. — Rheumatic Drops, to remove pain, prevent mor- 
tification, and promote a natural heat. 

The principal articles used in thi3 preparation, are 
high wines, or fourth proof brandy, gum myrrh and Cay- 
enne; for external application, spirits of turpentine is 
added, and sometimes gum camphor. The manner of 
preparing will be hereafter given. 

GUM MYRRH. 

This is a gum, obtained from a tree which grows in 
the East Indies, and is brought to this country and sold 
by the apothecaries for medicinal uses. There is no- 
thing sold by them that possesses more useful and medi- 
cinal properties thin this article; though the Doctors 
seem to have but little knowledge of its virtues. All 
those whom I have heard express an opinion upon it, 
consider it of very little value. When I obtained my 
patent, Dr. Thornton, the clerk of the Patent Office, 
said it was good for nothing; all this, however, does 
not lessen its value. The first knowledge I had of it, 
was when I was laid up with my lame ancle, at Onion 
River, as has been before related in my narrative. An 
old man from Canada, passing that way, and hearing 
of my case, called to see me, and observing the putrid 



64 New Guide to Health; 

state I was in, told my father that gum myrrh would 
be good for me, as it was an excellent article to pre- 
vent mortification. He immediately obtained some of 
the tincture, and not having a syringe, he took some 
in his mouth, and squirted it through a quiJl into the 
wound; the smarting was severe for a short time. By 
tasting it himself, and finding it a pleasant bitter, he 
gave me some to take; by using it there was a favora- 
ble alteration, both in my bodily health, and in the 
state of my wound. After this, I had great faith in 
this- article, and was seldom without it. "W hen I came 
to have a family, I made much use of myrrh; it was 
one of the principal articles used in restoring my wife, 
when given over by the mid-wife, as related in my nar- 
rative. In several cases of bad wounds and old sores, 
it afforded great relief; and in what the doctors call 
worm complaints in children, by giving the tincture, 
when such symptoms appeared, it removed them. I 
used it at this time, by making a tincture with spirit; 
but after having a knowledge of Cayenne, I put seme of 
this with it, which made it much better. 1 found out by 
accident, that boiling it would prevent the fumes of the 
spirit from rising to the head, which would otherwise, in 
some cases produce bad effects, particularly in such as 
were subject to hysterical affection. This was the origin 
of my rheumatic drops, a preparation which has proved 
more generally useful than any one compound I make 
use of. In selecting myrrh for use, take that of a light 
brown color, somewhat transparent, and of a bitter taste, 
a little pungent. It should be reduced to a fine powder, 
by being pounded in a mortar, before used, 

SPIRIT OF TURPENTINE. 

This article is too well known to need any description 
being used by painters. The only way in which Iuse 
it, is in such preparations as are intended for external 
application, in which I have found it useful. A propor- 
tion of it should be added to the rheumatic drops, when 
used for the i-ch or other bad humors. It is a powerful 
article, and should be used with caution, 



or, Botanic Family Physician, €5 



GUM CAMPHOR. 



I shall say but little about this article, as I never 
found any very great advantages from its use, though I 
never knew it to do any harm. It is made much use 
of, and I think there is more credit given to it than 
what it deserves. I have been in the habit of adding 
some of it to the rheumatic drops, when used for bad 
sprains, and in such cases have found it useful; and I 
have no doubt but that it may be sometimes given to 
advantage to warm the stomach, and relieve pain; but 
there are other articles which I make use of for thai 
purpose, that are much better. See Directions, &c., 
page 83. 



NERVE POWDER. 

American Valerian^ or Ladies 9 Slipper; sometimes called 
Umbil, or Male and Female Nervine. 

There are four species of this valuable vegetable, one 
male and three female; the male is called yeilovv umbil, 
and grows in swamps and wet land; has a Urge cluster 
of fibrous roots matted together, joined to a solid root, 
which puts forth several stalks that grow about two feet 
high; it has leaves something resembling the poke leaf. 
The female kinds are distinguished by the color of 
the blossoms, which are red, red and white, and white. 
The red has but two leaves, which grow out of the 
ground, and lean over to the right and left, between 
which a single stalk shoots up to the height of from 
eight to ten inches, bearing on its top a red blossom of 
a very singular form, that gives it the name of female 
umbil. This kind is found on high ledges, and in 
swamps. The red and white, and white umbil, grows 
only in swamps, and is in larger clusters of roots, than 
the yellow, but in a similar form; ks top is similar to 
the red, except the color of the blossom. The yellow 
and red are the best for medicine; the roots should be 
dug in the fall, when done growing, or in the spring, he- 
ft * 



66 New Guide to Health ; 

fore the top puts forth. If dug when growing, the roots 
will nearly all dry up, When the roots are dug, they 
should be washed clean, carefully dried, and pounded or 
ground to a fine powder, sifted through a fine sieve, and 
preserved from the air for use. 

This powder is the best nervine known; I have made 
great use of it, and have always found it to produce 
the most beneficial effects, in all cases of nervous af- 
fection, and in hysterical symptoms; in fact, it would 
be difficult to get along with my practice in many cases 
without this important article. It is perfectly harmless, 
and may be used in all cases of disease with safety ; and 
is much better than opium, which is generally given in 
cases of spasmodic affection, and which only deadens 
the feelings, and relieves pain only by destroying sen- 
sibility, without doing any good. It has been supposed 
by the doctors to be of a narcotic nature; but this is a 
mistake. They have drawn this conclusion, I suppose, 
from its tendency to promote sleep; but this is alto- 
gether owing to its quieting the nerves, and leaving the 
patient at ease, when nature requires sleep to recover 
the natural tone of the system. Half a tea-spoonful 
may be given in hot water, sweetened, and the dose re- 
peated, if necessary; or the same quantity may be mix- 
ed with a dose of either the other numbers, when given, 
and put into the injections; and where there is nervous 
symptoms, it should never be dispensed with. See Di- 
rections, &c, page 83. 



I have thus far given a description of all the impor- 
tant vegetables made use of in my system of practice, 
with the manner of preparing and using them; I shall 
now proceed to describe a number of articles of less 
importance, all of which I have used and found good 
in various complaints. Some of them form a part of my 
medical preparations, and many others may be used as 
substitutes for some that have been mentioned. They 
are all of a warming nature, and may be used to advan- 
tage in throwing off disease in its first stages. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 67 



SPEARMINT. 

This is a well known herb, and makes a very pleas- 
ant tea, which may be freely used in sickness. The 
most valuable property it possesses, is to stop vomit-~ 
ing. If the Emetic Herb, or any other cause should 
produce violent vomiting, by giving a strong tea made 
of this herb, it will stop it, and sit pleasantly on the 
stomach. 

PEPPERMINT. 

This article is very hot in its nature, -and may be 
used to advantage to promote perspiration and overpower 
the cold. I have frequently used it for that purpose 
with success; but it is volatile, and will not retain the 
heat long in the stomach. In colds and slight attacks of 
disease, to drink freely of a tea made of this herb on 
going to bed, will throw it off. The essence, put in 
' warm water, is good to give children, and will relieve 
pain in the stomach and bowels. A few drops of the 
oil, given in warm water, or on loaf sugar, is good for 
the same purpose. 

f PENNYROYAL. 

This herb grows common in all parts of the country, 
and is too well known to need any description. It is 
an article of great value in medicine, and a tea of it may 
be freely used in air* cases of sickness. It is good for 
the stomach, being warming and cleansing; i^ drank 
freely, will produce perspiration, and remove obstruc- 
tions. In colds and slight attacks of disease, it will be 
likely to throw it off, and prevent sickness. It is very 
good for children, and will remove pain in the bowels 
and wind. In going through a course of medicine, a 
tea of this herb may be giren for drink, and will cause 
the medicine to have a pleasant operation. 

SUMMERSAVORY. 

This herb grows in gardens, and is made use of to 
season meats in cooking; it is of a very pleasant flavor, 
and of a hot nature. A tea of it is good for colds, and 



68 New Guide to Health; 

may be used freely in case of sickness. There is an 
oil made from this herb, which will cure the tooth-ache, 
by putting a little on cotton wool, and applying it to the 
affected tooth. 

HOARHOUND. 

This plant grows common in this country, and is 
made much account of in removing cough. An in- 
fusion made of the leaves, sweetened with honey, is 
good for the asthma, and all complaints of the lungs. 
The syrup of this plant will loosen tough phlegm, and 
remove hoarseness caused by a bad cold. The hoar- 
hound candy is very useful for such as are troubled with 
cough, particularly old people, and those that are short 
winded. 

ELECAMPANE. 

The root of this plant, made into syrup, is good for a 
cough; and I have made use of it for that purpose with 
advantage in many cases, and can recommend it as a 
safe and useful remedy in complaints of that kind. 

MAYWEED. 

A tea made of this herb, to be drank hot when going 
to bed, is very good for a cold; and in slight attacks of 
a fever, if used freely, and a hot stone put to the feet, 
will in most cases throw it off. It grows common in old 
fields, and by the sides of roads. 

WORMWOOD. 

This herb is a very wholesome bitter, and may be 
taken to advantage in different ways. It is of a hot 
nature, and is good for the stomach, to create an appe- 
tite, and assist the digesture. It may be taken in tea, 
or the green herb may be pounded and tinctured in spir- 
it, which is good to apply to a bruise or sprain. 

TANSY. 

This is a hot bitter herb, grows common in highways, 
and is cultivated in gardens. A tea made of this herb 



or, Botanic Family Physician, 69 

is crood fo¥ hysterics and other female complaints; it 
Will strengthen those that have weak reins and kidneys, 
and is good for the strangury, or stoppage of mine. — 
The green leaves pounded, are good to put on bruises 
and sprains, and will allay the swelling. 

CHAMOMILE. 

This is a well known herb, the flowers are sold by 
the apothecaries and are made much use of in a tea for 
many complaints. It is good given in a tea for bowel 
complaints, and externally applied will relieve sprains, 
bruises, and swellings, and remove calluses,, corns, &c. 
and restore shrunk, sinews. 

BITTER-SWEET. 

This herb has long been esteemed as a medicine of 
considerable value for many complaints. It grows com- 
mon in this country, in hedges where the ground is 
moist, and the top runs along the ground or climbs on 
bushes. Its taste, when chewed, is first bitter and then 
sweet, which has given it its name. It is said to be a 
good medicine for internal injuries, and to remove ob- 
structions, which I have no doubt is correct; but the 
only way I make use of it is for external application; 
the bark of the root, with chamomile and wormwood, 
makes an ointment of great value, which is an excellent 
thing for a bruise, sprain, callus, swelling, or Tor corns. 

MULLEN. 

The leaves of this plant are very good to bring down 
swelling, and to restore contracted sinews, by pounding 
them, and applying them warm to the part affected. 
For external use, they are an excellent article in many 
complaints. This herb is too well known to need any 
description. It is an important article in my strength- 
ening piaster. 

BURDOCK. 

The leaves of this plant, wilted by the fire, and ap- 
plied to an external injury, will allay the inflammation 



70 New Guide to Health; 

and ease pain; and they are good pounded and put on 
to a bruise or sprain, as it will give immediate relief. 
It is made use of in the strengthening plaster. The 
leaves are good applied to the feet in case of fever to 
keep them moist, and promote perspiration. 

SKUNK-CABBAGE. 

This vegetable grows common in all parts of New- 
England; it has large leaves something resembling cab- 
bage, from which and its disagreeable smell, it takes its 
name; it may be found in the meadows and wet land. 
The root only is used for medicine., which should be 
dug and split into strips, and carefully dried; when dry, 
it should be pounded or ground to a powder. This 
powder may be taken in tea, sweetened, or made into a 
syrup, or half a tea-spoonful may be mixed in honey, 
and taken in the morning, or at night when going to 
bed. It is good for asthma, cough, difficulty of breath- 
ing, and all disorders of the lungs, and with other ar- 
ticles makes one of the best preparations for those com- 
plaints I have ever found. 

WAKE ROBIN. 

This plant grows wild in this country. It has three 
triangular leaves, from between them it puts forth a nak- 
ed stalk, on the top of which is a singular stem or pistil, 
enclosed in a sheath, resembling a flower, which is fol- 
lowed by a bunch of reddish berries. This root is used 
for medicine, and resembles a small turnip. This root 
is extremely pungent and stimulating, and is often given 
for cholic and pain in the bowels, and to expel wind. 
I have mostly made use of it for cough and disorders of 
the lungs, for which I have found it a very useful article, 
and it forms part of my composition for coughs. The 
root should be dried and reduced to a powder, and may 
be given mixed with honey, or in a syrup. 

THOROUGHW r ORT. 

This herb is well known in the country, and is made 
use of by the people in tea for many complaints. It is 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 71 

of a warming nature, and is good for cough and other 
complaints of the lungs. It is used in my compound, 
prepared for coughs. 

FEATHERFEW. 

This herb is stimulating, and is good for hysteric com- 
plaints, and many other disorders common to females. 
It promotes the passage of urine, and removes obstruc- 
tions in those parts. It should be taken in tea alone, or 
may be added with chamomile, and used to advantage 
in all cases of obstructions. 

CLIVERS. 

This is a sort of joint grass and grows in mowing land r 
where the ground is wet. It has small leaves at each 
joint; the stalk is four square, and the edges are rough 
like a sickle. This herb, made into a strong tea, and 
drank freely, is very good for the stoppage of urine, and 
may be made use of for all obstructions in those parts to 
advantage. 

BLACK BIRCH BARK. 

A tea made of this bark, is useful in curing all com- 
plaints of the bowels, and to remove obstructions. I 
have made much use of it in dysentery. This tea, with 
peachmeats or cherry stone meats, made into a syrup, 
is an excellent article to restore patients, after having 
been reduced by that disease, and to promote the di- 
gesture. It is good for canker, and all complaints of the 
bowels. 

EVAN ROOT. 

This is called by some people chocolate root, on ac- 
count of it& resembling that article in taste, and is made 
use of by some for common drink, instead of tea or cof- 
fee. It is good for canker, and may be used in No. 3, 
as a substitute for other articles. It grows common in 
this country, and is too well known to need describing. 



72 New Guide to Health; 



SLIPPERY ELM BAPvK. 

The inner bark of this tree is an article of much 
value, and may be used to advantage in many different 
ways. There are several species of the elm that grow 
common in this country; and there are two kinds of the 
slippery elm, the bark of one is rather hard and tough, 
and the other is very brittle- the latter is the best for 
medicinal uses. The bark should be peeled, the outside 
ross shaved off, dried, and ground or pounded to a fine 
powder. If used internally, put a tea-spoonful of this 
powder into a tea-cup with as much sugar, mix them 
well together, then add a little cold water, and stir it till 
perfectly mixed, and then put hot water to it and stir till 
it forms a jelly thick enough to be eaten with a spoon. 
A tea-spoonful may be taken at a time, and is an excel- 
lent mediciue to heal soreness in the throat, stomach and 
bowels, caused by canker; or more hot water may be 
put to it and made into a drink-, and freely taken for the 
same purpose. I have made much use of this bark for 
poultices, and have in all cases found it a most excellent 
article for that purpose. Mixed with pounded cracker 
and ginger, it makes the best poultice I have ever found; 
for burns, scalds, felons, old sores, Slc. it is the best 
thing I have met with, to allay the inflammation, ease 
the pain, and heal them in a short time. 

BALSAM FIR. 

This balsam is obtained from a tree well known in 
many parts of this country ; it is taken from small blis- 
ters, which form in the bark. It is of a very healing na- 
ture, and is good to remove internal soreness. It torms- 
an important article in my healing salve. When taken 
it may be dropped on loaf sugar. 

GENTIAN. 

This root grows wild in this country; and is found 
plentifully in Vermont. It was formerly collected for 
exportation, and large quantities of it were sent to Chi- 
na, where it brought a great price. It is said the peo- 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 73 

pie of that country considered it of great value; but 
for what purpose they use it, is, I believe, only known 
to themselves. It is a nervine, and may be used to ad- 
vantage iu all cases of nervous affection, either alone or 
mixed with other articles. The root should be dug in 
the fall, dried, aud reduced to a fine powder; from half 
to a tea-spoonful may be given for a dose, in hot water, 
sweetened. 

SNAKEROOT. 

This is a well known article, grows wild, and may be 
found in most parts of this country. It is of a hot na- 
ture, and is made much use of in tea, for measles and 
other eruptions, to keep the disorder out, for which it is 
considered very good; this is owing to its warming qual- 
ities, which keeps the determining powers to the surface, 
which effect may be produced by almost any strong stim- 
ulant; but No. 2, or the composition powders, is much 
the best for that purpose. A tea made of this root may 
be given to advantage in many cases of disease; it has 
a tendency to promote perspiration, and is good to re- 
move pain in the stomach and bowels, and expel wind. 
The roots reduced to powder may be mixed with gentian 
or umbil for all nervous complaints. 

MUSTARD. 

The seed of this herb is principally made use of for 
culinary purposes, being eaten on meat; for which it is 
ground to a line powder, and mixed with warm water. 
It is very pungent, and of a hot nature; but is volatile^ 
and will not hold the heat long enough to do much good 
in retaining the internal heat. It is good to create an 
appetite, and assist the digesture; and given in hot wa- 
ter, sweetened, will remove pain in the bowels and stom- 
ach. It is frequently used for rheumatism, both internal- 
ly and externally; but Nos. 2 and 6, are much better for 
that purpose. 

7 



74 Neiv Guide to Health ; 



HORSERADISH. 

The root of this plant is mostly used for culinary pur-* 
poses, and it has some medicinal properties. It is of a 
hot nature, but very volatile; its warming qualities will 
mostly evaporate before it gets into the stomach. The 
roots may be given to promote the appetite, and assist 
the digesture. The leaves are sometimes applied to re- 
move external pain 5 but is apt to raise a blister. 

BALM OF GILEAD, 

This tree is of the species of the poplar and possesses 
some medicinal virtues. It resembles the kind of poplar 
that has been described, having similar tags; but the 
buds and leaves are larger. The buds bruised and tinc- 
tured in spirit, produces an effect something like the 
tincture of myrrh; and is good taken inwardly as a re- 
storative, and for bathing sores. The bark scraped from 
the twigs, and steeped in hot water, is a good corrector 
of the bile, and will operate both as an emetic and ca- 
thartic; it is more harsh than the other kind of poplar, 
but may be used to advantage in many cases of dis- 
ease. 

BUTTERNUT. 

This tree grows common in this country, and is well 
known from the nut which it bears, of an oblong shape, 
and nearly as large as an egg, in which is a meat con- 
taining much oil, and very good to eat. The bark of 
this tree is used by the country people to color with. 
The bark taken from the body of the tree or roots, and 
boiled down till thick, may be made into pills, and ope- 
rates as a powerful emetic and cathartic; a syrup may 
be made by boiling the bark, and adding one third mo- 
lasses and a little spirit, which is good to give children 
for worm complaints. The buds and twigs may also be 
used for the same purpose, and are more mild. White 
ash bark and balm of gilead may be added, equal parts, 
and made into syrup or pills. Those who are fond 
of drastic purges may have their ends sufficiently an- 
swered by these preparations, and they are the most 



or s Botanic Family Physician. 75 

safe and harmless of any that I know of; and those who 
wish to be tortured with blisters, can have thelm cheap, 
by bruising the green shell of the nut, or the bark, and 
applying it where the blister is wanted, keeping the 
bandage wet, and in three hours they will be completely 
drawn, and the skin as black as that of an African. This 
is much quicker and safer, than if done with flies, and 
will not cause strangury. The bark of the butternut is 
the principal ingredient in Dr. Hawkes's rheumatic and 
cancer pills, and also of Chamberlain's bilious cordial, 
which have been so celebrated for many complaints. It 
is called by some people oilnut and lemon walnut. 

BLUE AND WHITE VERVINE. 

This is a well known herb, growing very common; it 
ranks next to the emetic herb, for a puke; and may be 
used for that purpose, either alone or combined with 
ihoroughwort. It is good to prevent a fever in its first 
stages. This herb has been used with considerable suc- 
cess in consumption, having cured several cases where 
the doctors had given them over. It may be used in a 
tea made of the dry herb, or prepared in powder like 
the emetic herb. 

TIPSISWAY, OV RHEUMATIC WEED. 

This herb grows on mountainous land, and on pine 
plains, where the boxberry or checkerberry is found 
plenty. It is an ever-green, and grows from three to 
six inches high, has a number of dark green leaves, 
about half an inch wide, and from one to two inches 
long, with a scalloped edge; bears several brown seeds, 
resembling allspice. The tops and roots are used for 
medicine. The roots, when chewed, are very pungent, 
which will be felt for several hours on the tongue, as 
though burnt. A strong tea made of this plant is good 
for cancers and all scrofulous humors, by drinking the 
tea and bathing with it the parts affected. 



76 New Guide to Health; 

Another evergreen plant, called wild lettuce, grows 
on the same kind of land, which possesses much the 
same medical properties as the above. It has round 
leaves, from the size of a cent to that of a dollar, re- 
sembling a common lettuce. The roots of this plant, 
and of the pipsisway, dried and powdered together, 
equal parts, is good to cure all bad humors. Take a 
tea-spoonful of the powder in a glass of hot water, and 
bathe the parts affected with the same. It is also good 
to restore weak nerves. 

GOLDENROD. 

This herb may be found common on pine plains and 
in hedges; it grows about two or three feet high, has a 
long narrow leaf, very smooth and glossy, and a large 
cluster of yellow blossoms; it has a sweet, spicy taste 
and smell, resembling fennel or annise. There is an oil 
obtained from this herb, good for medicine; and also pre- 
pared in essence, is good for pain in the-head, to be tak- 
en, or the outside bathed with it. The oil is good to* 
scent the bayberry and bitter root snuff, which is very- 
good to be taken and snuffed up the nose. There are 
several herbs that resemble this in appearance, but are 
very different in smell and taste. 

MEADOW FERN. 

This is a shrub, and grows in meadows, and by the 
side of stagnant water, sometimes growing in the water; 
it is found in thick bunches, and grows from two to 
three feet high. When the leaves are off, it has a large 
bud, which is larger on some bushes than others; some 
of them bear a small bur, or cluster of seeds, which, 
when rubbed between the fingers, leaves an oily or bal- 
samy substance, having a fragrant smell, something like 
spirits of turpentine. 

These burs, pounded fine and simmered in cream, 
hog's lard or fresh butter, is almost a sovereign remedy 
for the itch, or external poison, and all bad humor 
sores. When the burs cannot be had, take the bush 
and buds and make a strong decoction; drink of this 



or, Botanic Family Physician. . 77 

and wash with the same. This liquor may be prepared 
in syrup, ard by boiling it down, may be made into oint- 
ment, as has been described for the burs; the syrup 
should be taken, and the ointment put on the affected 
parts. This ointment, or the wash, is good for salt- 
rheum, or canker sores, and may be used freely. 

YELLOW DOCK. 

The root of this plant is well known as being made 
into ointment for the itch. The roots should be bruised 
fine in a mortar, and put in a pewter bason, add cream 
enough to make an ointment, keep it warm for twelve 
hours, be careful not to scald it. Rub it on at night 
when going to bed. Three times using it will generally 
effect a cure. The foregoing described ointments, to- 
gether with No. 3, and the rheumatic drops prepared 
with the spirits of turpentine, will be sufficient to cure 
any case of this complaint. 

PRICKLY ASH. 

This is a shrub or bush that grows in the Western 
country, and is well known by the people there. It 
grows from eight to twelve feet high, and bears a berry 
that grows close to the limbs ; it has leaves like the white- 
ash. The bark and the berries are used for medical 
purposes. The berries are very pungent, and are a 
powerful stimulant, as also the bark of the top and roots, 
though not so strong. It should be pounded to a pow- 
der, and steeped in hot water, then put into wine or spir- 
it, and it makes a very gopd hot bitter. Take half a 
glass two or three times a day ; it is good for fever and 
ague, for which it is much used; and for lethargy, or 
sleepiness, and for cold feet and hands, and other com- 
plaints caused by cold. 

BITTER THISTLE. 

This rierb is a species of the thistle, and is cultivated 
in gardens. It is of one year's growth, the seed being 
sown in the spring, and it comes to maturity in the fall. 
The stalk has a number of branches^ and a great quao- 

7* 



78 New Guide to Health; 

tity of leaves. The leaf is some larger than the Canada 
thistle, with prickles like it; and it bears seeds about 
the size of the barley corn, with a beard on the end, 
nearly as long as the seed. The leaves are used for 
medicine, which may be steeped in hot water, and drank 
like other herb tea, or they may be reduced to a powder 
and taken in molasses or warm water, or in wine or spirit. 
It is an excellent corrector of the bile, arid may be safe- 
ly used for that purpose. The Cardis Benedictus, or 
beloved thistle, is cultivated in the same manner, and 
may be used for the same purpose. 

ARCHANGEL. 

This herb grows wild in wet land, and may be often 
found among the grass, and at the edges of plough fields. 
It grows from four to twelve inches high; the leaves are 
rather smaller than mint leaves; it bears a kind of bur 
containing seed, which grows round the stalk at each 
joint. There are two kinds which grow near each other; 
they look very much alike, but are very different in 
taste. One is very bitter, and the other has no bitter 
taste, but is very rough, and of a balsamic taste. They 
may be used together in a tea or syrup, and answer two 
important purposes; the rough removes the canker, and 
the bitter is a corrector of the bile. By adding No. 2 T 
the compound contains the three great principles of the 
healing art, viz. hot, rough and bitter. 



DIRECTIONS 

FOR PREPARING AND USING 

VEGETABLE MEDICINE. 



No. 1. — Emetic Herb. 



The preparation of this herb has been sufficiently de- 
scribed, for which see page 43. It is prepared and used 
in three different ways, viz: 

1. The powdered leaves and pods. This is the most 
common form of using it; a/:id from half to a tea-spoon- 
ful may be taken in warm water, sw r eetened ; or the same 
quantity may be put into either of the other numbers 
when taken; to cleanse the stomach, overpower the cold, 
and promote a free perspiration. 

2. A tincture made from the green herb in spirit. 
This is used to counteract the effects of poison; to be 
either internally or externally used; and for asthma and 
other complaints of the lungs. For a dose, take a tear 
spoonful, adding about the same quantity of No. 2, in 
half a tea-cupful of warm water, sweetened, and in all 
cases of nervous affection add half a tea-spoonful of nerve 
powder. For the external effects of poison, take the 
above dose, and bathe the parts affected with the tinc- 
ture, repeating it till cured. 

3. The seeds reduced to a fine powder, and mixed 
with Nos. 2. and 6. This is for the most violent attacks 
of spasms and other complaints, such as lock-jaw, bite of 
a mad dog, fits, drowned persons, and all cases of suspend- 
ed animation, where the vital spark is nearly extinct. 
For a dose, give a tea-spoonful, and repeat it till relief 
is obtained; then follow with a tea of No. 3, for canker. 

- For children, the dose must be regulated according to 
their age. If very young, steep a dose of the powder 



80 New Guide to Health; 

in half a tea-cupful of warm water, or tea of raspberry 
leaves, and give a tea-spoonful at a time of the tea, 
strained through a fine cloth, and sweetened, repeating 
the dose every ten minutes, till it operates; and give 
pennyroyal, or some other herb tea for drink. 

No. 2. — Cayenne. 

This is a medicine of great value in the practice, and 
may be safely used in all cases of disease, to raise and 
retain the internal vital heat of the system, cause a free 
perspiration, and keep the determining powers to the 
surface. The only preparation is to have it reduced to 
a fine powder. For a dose, take from half to a tea- 
spoonful, in hot water, or a tea of No. 3, sweetened; or 
the same quantity may be mixed with a dose of either 
the other numbers, when taken. The dose should be 
repeated every ten or fifteen minutes till the desired ob- 
ject is effected, and continued occasionally till health is 
restored. When this number is given, the patient should 
be kept warm, by sitting by the fire, covered with a 
blanket, or in a warm bed. 

No. 3. — For Canker. 

Take Bayberry root bark and white pond Lily root, 
equal parts of each, pounded and well mixed together; 
steep one ounce of the powder in a pint of boiling water, 
and give for a dose, a common wine glass full, sweet- 
ened. 

If the above cannot be had, take as a substitute, 
sumach bark, leaves or berries, red-raspberry or witch- 
hazle leaves, marsh rosemary, or either of the other 
articles described under the head of No. 3; they are 
all good for canker, and may be used together or sepa- 
rately. 

When the violence of the disease requires a course of 
medicine, steep one ounce of the above mentioned pow- 
der, No. 3, in a pint of boiling water, strain off a wine 
glass full while hot, and add a tea-spoonful of No. 2, 
and the same quantity of sugar; when cool enough to 



or, Bjtanic Family Physician. 81 

take, add a tea-spoonful of No. 1, and half that quanti- 
ty of nerve powder. Let this dose be given three times, 
at intervals of fifteen minutes; and let the same com- 
pound be given by injection, and if the case requires it, 
again repeat it. If mortification is apprehended, a tea- 
spoonful of No. 6, may be added to each dose, and to 
the injections. 

After the patient has recovered sufficiently from the 
operation of the medicine, which is usually in two or 
three hours, place them over the steam, as is directed in 
page 21. 

This operation is sufficient for one time, and must be 
repeated each day, or every other day, as the circum- 
stances of the case may require, till the disorder is re- 
moved. Three times will generally be sufficient, and 
sometimes once or twice will answer the purpose; but 
in bad chronic cases it may be neeessary to continue to 
carry them through a regular course two or three times 
a week, for a considerable length of time. 

Great care must be taken to keep up an internal heat, 
so as to produce perspiration, after they have been 
through the operation, by giving occasionally No. 2, or 
the composition powder, for if this is not attended to, 
the patient may have a relapse, in which case it will be 
very difficult to raise it again, as they will fall as much 
below a natural heat as they have been raised above it 
by artificial means. 

During the operation give milk porridge, or gruel well 
seasoned, with a little cayenne in it; and after it is over, 
the patients may eat any kind of nourishing food that 
the appetite may crave. * 

A tea-cupful of the tea of No. 3, should be taken 
night and morning, to prevent a relapse of the disease, 
and during the day drink frequently of a tea made of 
poplar bark; and if costive, use the bitter root. 

As soon as the disorder is removed, use the bitters, 
No. 4, to correct the bile and restore' the digesture; 
and half a wine glass full of the syrup, No. 5, may be 
taken two or three times a day, which will strengthen 
the stomach and assist in regulating the digestive 
powers. 



82 Mv> Guide to Health; 

The foregoing directions are calculated for the more 
violent attacks oi disease, and such as have become set- 
tled; but those of a less violent nature must be treated 
according to circumstances. In the first stages of a 
disease, it may be most generally thrown off by a dose 
of the emetic herb, with No. 2, to raise a free perspira- 
tion, followed by a tea of No. 3, to remove the canker, 
and the bitters or a tea of poplar bark, to regulate the 
digesture. For a sudden cold, take a dose of the com- 
position powder on going to bed, and put a hot stone, 
wrapped in wet cloths, at the feet, which will in most 
cases remove the complaint; but if these applications do 
not answer the purpose, the patient should he carried 
through a regular course as soon as possible. Steaming 
is safe and will always do good, and the injections must 
not be neglected, particularly where the bowels are dis- 
ordered. In consumption, and all old lingering com- 
plaints, give the composition powder for two or three 
days before going through a regular course. 

No. 4. — Bitters. 

Take the Bitter Herb, or Balmony, Barberry and 
Poplar bark, equal parts, pulverized, one ounce of the 
powder to a pint of hot water, and half a pint of spirit. 
For a dose, take half a wine glass full. For hot bitters, 
add a tea-spoonful of No. 2. 

This preparation is calculated to correct the bile and 
create an appetite, by restoring the digestive powers; 
and may be freely used both as a restorative and to pre- 
vent disease. 

When the above articles cannot be had, either of those 
that have been before described under No. 4, which 
are all good for the same purpose, may be used as a 
substitute. 

No. 5. — Syrup. 

Take Poplar bark and bark of the root of Bayberry, 
one pound each, and boil them in two gallons of water, 
strain off and add seven pounds of good sugar; then 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 83 

scald and skim it, and add half a pound of peachmeats; 
or the same quantity of cherry-stone meats, pounded 
fine. When cool, add a gallon of good brandy; and 
keep it in bottles for use. Take half a wine glass fell 
two or three times a day. 

Any other quantity may be prepared, by observing the 
same "proportion of the different articles. 

This syrup is very good to strengthen the stomach 
and bowels, and to restore weak patients; and is 
particularly useful in the dysentery, which leaves the 
stomach and bowels in a sore state. In a relax, or 
the first stages of the dysentery, by using a tea of No. 
3, freely, and giving this syrup, it will generally cure 
it, and will also prevent those exposed, from taking the 
disease. 



No. 6. — Rheumatic Drops. 

Take one gallon of good fourth proof brandy, or any 
kind of high wines, one pound of gum Myrrh pound- 
ed fine, one ounce of No. 2, and put them into a stone 
jug, and boil it a few minutes in a kettle of water, leav- 
ing the jug unstopped. When settled, bottle it up for 
use. It may be prepared without boiling, by letting it 
stand in the jug for five or six days, shaking it well 
every day, when it will be fit for use. 

These drops aire to remove pain and prevent morti- 
fication, to be taken, or applied externally or to be put 
into the injections. One or two tea-spoonfuls of these 
drops may be given alone, or the same quantity may 
be put into a dose of either of the medicines before 
mentioned ; and may be also used to bathe with in all 
cases of external swellings or pains. It is an excel- 
lent remedy for rheumatism, by taking a dose and 
bathing the parts affected with it. In the headache, 
by taking a swallow, and bathing the head, and snufF- 
ing a little up the nose, it will remove the pain. It is 
good for bruises, sprains, swelled joints, and old sores; 
as it will allay the inflammation, bring down swelling, 
ease pain, and produce a tendency to heal; in fact 
there is hardly a complaint, in which this useful medi- 



84 New Guide to Health; 

cine cannot be used to advantage. It is the best 
preservative against mortification of any thing I have 
ever found. 

For bathing, in rheumatism, itch, or other humors, 
or in any swelling or external pain, add one quarter part 
of spirits of turpentine; and for sprains and bruises, a 
little gum camphor may be added. 

NERVE POWDER. 

This is the American Valerian, or Umbil, and the 
preparation has been sufficiently described, for which 
see page 65. This powder is a valuable and safe medi- 
cine, and may be used in all cases without danger; and 
when there are nervous symptoms, it must never be dis- 
pensed with. For a dose, take half a tea-spoonful in 
hot water sweetened; or the same quantity should be 
put into a dose of either of the other medicines, and also 
into the injections, in all nervous cases. 

composition; or, vegetable powder. 

Take two pounds of the bayberry-root bark, one pound 
of ginger, two ounces of Cayenne, two ounces of cloves, 
all pounded fine, sifted through a fine sieve, and well mix- 
ed together. For a dose, take a tea-spoonful of this pow- 
der, with an equal quantity of sugar, and put to it half a 
teacupful of boiling water; to be take^i as soon as suffi- 
ciently cool, the patient being in bed, or by the fire, 
covered with a blanket. 

This composition is calculated for the first stages and 
in less violent attacks of disease. It is a medicine of 
much value, and may be safely used in all complaints of 
male or female, and for children. It is good for relax, 
dysentery, pain in the stomach and bowels, and to re- 
move all obstructions caused by cold, or loss of inward 
heat; by taking a dose on going to bed, and putting a 
hot stone to the feet, wrapped in wet cloths, it will cure 
a bad cold, and will generally throw off a disease in its 
first stages, if repeated two or three times. If the symp- 
toms are violent, with much pain, add to each dose a 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 85 

tea-spoonful of No. 6, and half a tea-spoonful of No. 1 ; 
and in nervous symptoms, add half a tea-spoonful of 
nerve powder; at the same time give an injection of the 
same. 1£ these shouid not answer the purpose, the pa- 
tient must be carried through a regular course of the 
medicine, as has been before described. 

COUGH POWDER. 

Take four tea-spoonfuls of Skunk Cabbage, two of 
Hoarhound, one of Wake-robin, one of No. 1, one of 
No. 2, one of Bayberry bark, one of Bitter root, and 
one of nerve powder, all made fine and well mixed to- 
gether. When taken, to be mixed with molasses. Take 
half a tea-spoonful of the powder on going to bed; keep 
warm, and continue to take it till relief is obtained, par- 
ticularly on going to bed. 

Where the cough has been of long standing, it will 
be best, while taking this prescription, to go through a 
regular course of the medicine, and repeat it if neces- 
sary. 

CANCER PLASTER. 

Take the heads of red clover, and fill a brass kettle, 
and boil them in water for one hour; then take them out, 
and fill the kettle again with fresh ones, and boil them as 
before in the same liquor. Strain it off, and press the 
heads to get out all the juice; then simmer it over slow 
fire till it is about the consistence of tar, when it will be 
fit for use. Be careful not to let it burn. When used, 
it should be spread on a piece of bladder, split and 
made soft. It is good to cure cancers, sore lips, and all 
old. sores. 

SALVE. 

Take one pound of Bees-wax, one do. of salt Butter, 
one and a half do. of Turpentine, twelve ounces of Bal- 
sam-fir; melt and simmer them together; then strain it 
off into a basin, and keep it for use. It may be used to 
heal fresh wounds, burns, scalds, and all bad sores, after 
the inflammation is allayed, and the wound cleansed. 
8 



86 New Guide to Health; 

STRENGTHENING PLASTER. 

Take Burdock leaves and Mullen leaves, bruise them 
and put them in a kettle, with a sufficient quantity of 
water, and boil them well; then strain off the liquor, 
press or squeeze the leaves, and boil it down till about 
half as thick as molasses;' then add three parts of Rosin 
and one of Turpentine, and simmer well together, until 
the water is evaporated; then pour it off into cold water, 
and work it with the hands, like shoemaker's wax; if 
too hard, put in more turpentine, when it will be fit for 
use. It should be spread on soft leather and applied to 
the part affected; and it is good to strengthen weakness 
in the back and other parts of the body. 

VOLATILE SALTS. 

Take crude Sal Ammoniac, one ounce, Pearlash, two 
ounces, and pound each by itself, mix them well together, 
and keep it close stopped in a bottle for use. By damp- 
ing it with spirit or essence, will increase the strength. 
This applied to the nose, is good for faintness, and to re- 
move pain in the head; and is much better than what is 
generally sold by the apothecaries. 

NERVE OINTMENT. 

Take the bark of the root of Bitter-sweet, two parts; 
of wormwood and chamomile, each equal, one part, 
when green, or if dry, moisten it with hot water; which 
put into horse v or porpoise oil, or any kind of soft animal 
oil, and simmer them over a slow fire for twelve hours; 
then strain it off, and add one ounce of spirits of Tur- 
pentine to each pound of ointment. To be used for a 
bruise, sprain, callus, swelling , or for corns. 

POULTICE. 

Make a strong tea of Raspberry leaves, or of No. 3; 
take a cracker pounded fine, and slippery-elm bark pul- 
verized, with ginger, and make a poultice of the same. 
This is good for old sores, whitlows, felons, and for bad 
burns, scalds, and parts frozen* Apply this poultice and 
renew it, at least as often as every twelve or twenty-four 
hours, and wash with soap suds at every renewal; wet- 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 87 

ting it in the interim with cold water, or a tea of Rasp- 
berry leaves, till it discharges; then apply the salve till 
a cure is effected. 

INJECTIONS, Or CLYSTERS. 

This manner of administering medicine is of the great- 
est importance to the sick; it will frequently give relief 
when all other applications fail. It is supposed that the 
use of them is of great antiquity; whether this be true or 
not, the using them to relieve the sick, was certainly a 
very valuable discovery; and no doubt thousands of lives 
have been saved by it. The doctors have long been in 
the practice of directing injections to be given to their 
patients, but they seem to have no other object in admin- 
istering them, than to cause a movement in the bowels; 
therefore it was immaterial what they were made of. 

According to the plan which I have adopted, there 
are certain important objects aimed at in the adminis- 
tration of medicine to remove disease, viz. to raise the 
internal heat, promote perspiration, remove the canker, 
guard against mortification, and restore the (Vgestion* 
To accomplish these objects, the medicine necessary to 
remove the complaint, must be applied to that part 
where the disease is seated ; if in the stomach only, by 
taking the medicine, it may be removed; but if in the 
bowels, the same compound must be administered by 
injection. Whatever is good to cure disease, when 
taken into the stomach, is likewise good for the same 
purpose if given by injection, as the grand object is to 
warm the bowels, and remove the canker. In all cases 
of dysentery, cholic, piles, and other complaints, where 
the bowels are badly affected, injections should never 
be dispensed with. They are perfectly safe in all cases, 
and better that they be used ten times when not needed, 
than once neglected when they are. In many violent 
cases, particularly where there is danger of mortifica- 
tion, patients may be relieved by administering, medicine 
in this way, when there would be no chance in any 
other. I do, therefore, most seriously advise that these 
considerations be always borne in mind; and that 
this important way of giving relief, be never neglected, 
where there is any chance for it to do good. In many 



88 «7Veu> Guide to Health; 

complaints peculiar to females, they are of the greatest 
importance in giving relief, when properly attended to; 
for which purpose it is only necessary to repeat what has 
been before stated; let the remedy be applied with judg- 
ment and discretion to that part where the disease is 
seated. 

The common preparation for an Injection or Clyster, 
is to take a tea-cupful of strong tea made of No. 3, strain 
it off when hot, and add half a tea-spoonful of No. 2, 
and a tea-spoonful of No. 6; when cool enough to give, 
add half a tea-spoonful of No. 1, and the same quantity 
of nerve powder. Let it be given with a large syringe 
made for that purpose, or where this cannot be had, a 
bladder and pipe may be used. They must be repeated 
as occasion may require, till relief is obtained. 

Many other articles may be used to advantage in the 
injections ; a tea of witch-hazle and red-raspberry leaves, 
either, or both together, are very good in many cases. 
For canker, a tea of either the articles described under 
the head of No. 3, will answer a good purpose. When 
the canker is removed, the bowels will be left sore, in 
which case, give injections of witch-hazel or raspberry 
leaves tea, with slippery-elm bark. When injections are 
used to move the bowels only, No. 1. should be left out. 
It is always safe to add the nerve powder, and if there is 
nervous symptoms, it must never be omitted. 

• ■ ■ »' ^ ^ » « ... 

STOCK OF MEDIC IKE FOR A FAMII/i". 

1 ounce of the Emetic Herb, 

2 ounces of Cayenne, 

J lb. Bavberrv root bark, in powder, 

1 lb. of Pophr Bark, 

1 lb. of Ginger, 

1 pint of the Rheumatic Drops. 

This stock will be sufficient for a family for one year, 
and with such articles as they can easily procure them- 
selves, when wanted, will enable them to cure any dis- 
ease, which a family of common size may be afflicted 
with during that time. The expense will be small, and 
much better than to employ a doctor, and have his ex- 
travagant bill to pay. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 89 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS 
In Curing or Preventing Disease. 

1. Be careful to always keep the determining powers 
to the surface, by keeping the inward heat above the 
outward, or the fountain above the stream, and all will 
be safe. 

2. It must be recollected that heat is life, and cold, 
death; or in other words, cold is disease; that fever is 
a friend and cold the enemy; it is therefore necessary to 
aid the friend and oppose the enemy, in order to restore 
health. 

3. That the construction and organization of the 
human frame, is in all men essentially the same; being 
formed of the four elements. Earth and water consti- 
tute the solids of the body, wbich is made active by 
fire and air. Heat in a peculiar manner, gives life 
and motion to the whole; and when entirely overpow- 
ered from whatever cause by the other elements, death 
ensues. 

4. A perfect state of health arises from a due bal- 
ance of temperature of the elements; and" when it is 
by any means destroyed, the body is more or less disor- 
dered. When this is the case, there is always a diminu- 
tion of heat, or an increase of the power of cold, which 
is its opposite. 

5. All disorders are caused by obstructed perspira- 
tion, which may be produced by a great variety of means; 
that medicine, therefore, must be administered, that is 
best calculated to remove obstructions and promote pers- 
piration. 

6. The food taken into the stomach, and being well 
digested, nourishes the system, and keeps up that heat 
on which life depends; but by constantly taking food in- 
to the stomach, which is sometimes not suitable for nour- 
ishment, it becomes foul, so that the food is not well di- 
gested; this causes the body to lose its heat, and disease 
follows. 

7. Canker is caused by cold, and there is always more 
or less of it in all cases of disease; continue to make use 

8* 



90 New Guide io Health; 

of such articles as are calculated to remove it, as long 
as there is any appearance of disorder. 

8. When the disease is removed, make free use of 
those things that are good to restore the digestive pow- 
ers, not forgetting to keep up the inward heat, by giving 
occasionally, No. 2. 

9. Keep always in mind, that an ounce of prevention 
is better than a pound of cure; and give medicine on the 
first appearance of disorder, before it becomes seated; 
for it may be then easily thrown off, and much sickness 
and expense prevented. 

10. In case of a fever, increase the internal heat by 
giving hot medicine, so as to overpower the cold, when 
the natural heat will return inwardly, and the cold 
will pervade the whole surface of the body, as the heat 
had done before. This is what is called the turn of the 
fever. 

11. If No. 1. should sicken and not puke, there may 
be two causes for it, viz. the coldness or acidity of the 
stomach; for the first, give No. 2. more freely, and for 
the latter, dissolve a piece of pearlash about the size of 
a large pea, in a wine glass of water, and let them take, 
it, which will counteract the acidity. If this fails, make 
use of the steam, which will open the pores, extract the 
cold, and set the medicine into operation. 

12. In giving medicine to children, give about one 
half, a little more or less according to their age, of the 
quantity directed for a grown person. Be particular to 
offer them drink often, especially young children who 
cannot ask for it. 

13. Dysentery is caused by canker on the bowels, 
for which, make a free use of the tea of No. 3, with No. 
2, and give the same by injection, in the first of the dis- 
ease, and afterwards give the syrup. No. 5, to strength- 
en the stomach and bowels, and restore the digestive 
powers. 

14. The piles is canker below the reach of medicine 
given in the usual way, and must be cured by using a 
wash of No. 3, made strong, and by giving injections of 
the same, with No. 2. What is called bearing down 
pains in women, is from the same cause; and must be 
relieved by injections made of witcli-hazle or red rasp- 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 91 

berry leaf tea, steeped strong, with No. 2, strained. If 
this dose not give relief, go through a regular course of 
medicine. 

15. Women in a state of pregnancy, ought to be car- 
ried through a regular course of the medicine, espec- 
ially when near the time of delivery. When in travai , 
give raspberry leaf tea, with a tea-spoonful of the com- 
position powders, or No. 2, and keep them in a perspira- 
tion. After delivery, keep up the internal heat, by 
giving the composition powder, or No. 2. This will 
prevent cold and after pains; if there should be symp- 
toms of fever carry them through a regular course of 
the medicine, which will guard against all alarming 
complaints, peculiar in such cases. 

16. In all cases of a burn, scald, or being frozen, 
wrap up the part in cloths wet with cold water, often 
wetting them with the same, to prevent their becoming 
dry, and be careful to give hot medicine, such as No. 2, 
or the composition powders, to keep up the inward heat. 
Pursue this plan for twelve hours; and then, if the skin 
is off, apply the poultice, or salve. If there should be 
convulsions, or fever, a regular course of the medicine 
must without fail be attended to. 

17. When a scald is over the whole or greatest part 
of the body, apply cotton cloth of several thicknesses to 
the whole body, wet with the tea of raspberry Leaves, 
thoroughly wetting it with the same Jo prevent it from 
becoming dry; and give the hot medicine. When the 
scald is under the stocking, or any other tight garment, 
let it remain on, adding more cotten cloths, and wet 
the whole with cold water as often as the smart of the 
burn returns. 

18. If the skin is off, or in case of an old burn, to 
guard against canker, apply a poultice of cracker and 
slippery-elm bark, made with a tea of raspberry leaves; 
washing it with soap suds, when the poultice is changed, 
and then with the same tea. When any part is frozen, 
the same method must be taken, as for a burn. 

19. For a fresh wound, cut, or bruise, wash immedi- 
ately with cold water, and bind up in cloths wet with 
the same; keep a hot stone at the feet, and take medi- 
cine to raise a gentle perspiration; continue this till 



92 JYeio Guide to Health; 

the inflammation is allayed, and the wound perfectly 
cleansed, then apply the poultice or salve, till healed. 
The air must be kept from all wounds or sores, as it 
will cause pain, and prevent them from healing. 

20. In sudden and deadly attacks, such as spotted or 
yellow fevers, fits, drowned person, croup, &c. the heat 
and activity of the patient is so much diminished, that 
the common administration will not give relief; the de- 
termining power to the surface, being so small, through 
the loss of internal heat, that it will not give the medi- 
cine operation, as its effects are resisted, and counter- 
balanced by the pressure of the external air. To coun- 
teract this pressure, keep the room, by aid of a good 
fire, about as warm as a summer heat; and more fully 
to rarify and lighten the air, and aid the operation of 
the medicine, make a free use of the steam bath; and 
keep the patient shielded by a blanket, at the same 
time give . occasionally Nos. 1 and 2. This course 
should be unremittingly persevered in till the patient is 
relieved.* 

21. If the glands are dry, so that there is no moisture 
in the mouth, or if the patient is much pressed for breath, . 
give a strong tea of No. 2, sweetened, and repeat it till 
the mouth becomes moist. No. 3, should not be used 
while the mouth is dry; if any is used, add a large por- 
tion of No. 2. 

22. Be careful not to have the outward heat too high, 
by too many clothes or fire; lor if this is the case, it 
will cause a balance of the outward and inward heat, 
and will prevent the medicine from operating, by stop- 
ping the circulation; and the patient wnV be very much 
distressed. When this happens, throw cold vinegar on 
the face and stomach, and give more hot medicine, which 
will let down the outward heat, and raise the inward. 

* Keep always in mind to give the patient fresh air when 
steaming, and while going through a course of medicine, by 
making a quick fire of shavings, or very light wood, and opening 
a window at the same time; as this will immediately change the 
foul air jn the room, by driving it out. and supplying its place by 
the fresh air f\ >m the surrounding atmosphere. This mode is 
essential in all disorders both in hot weather and in cold. Steamng 
is not essential in hct weather, except when going through a curse 
of medi'ine ; after which, a shower-bath is good in the morning, 
as it lets down the outward heat, which gives power to the inward. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 93 

23. If the patient is restless, wet the head and body 
with cold vinegar; and if there are convulsions or 
spasms, give the nerve powder with No. 2. Injections 
must also be used. 

24. Never make use of physic in cases where there 
is canker inside, for it will draw the determining powers 
inward, and increase the disease. I have seen so many 
bad effects from giving physic, that I have disapproved 
the use of it altogether; but if any is given, after the 
operation, be careful to keep up the inward heat, so as 
to cause a free perspiration. 

25. Avoid all minerals used as medicine, such as mer- 
cury, arsenic, antimony, calomel, preparations of copper 
or lead; and also nitre and opium. They are all poison, 
and deadly enemies, to health. 

26. Beware of bleeding and blisters, as they can 
never do any good, and may be productive of much 
harm; they are contrary to nature, and strengthen the 
power of the enemy to health. Setons and issues should 
also be avoided, as they only tend to waste away the 
strength of the patient, without doing any good; it is a 
much better way to remove the cause by a proper ad- 
ministration of medicine, which will be more certain and 
safe in its effects. 

27. Be careful not to make use of salt-petre in any 
way whatever; it is the greatest cold of any thing that 
can be taken into the stomach, and was never intended 
for any other purpose than to destroy life. It is a very 
bad practice to put it on meat, for it destroys all the 
juices, which is the nourishing part, and leaves the flesh 
hard and difficult to digest. 

28. Never eat meat that is tainted, or any way injur- 
ed, as it will engender disease; for one ounce in the 
stomach is worse than the effluvia of a whole carcass. 
Eat salt provisions in hot weather, and fresh in cold. 

29. Be careful about drinking cold water, in very hot 
weather, as it will tend to let down the inward heat so 
suddenly, as to give full power to the cold. If this should 
happen, its fatal effects may be prevented by giving the 
hot medicine, to raise the inward heat above the outward. 
Be careful also not to cool suddenly, after being very 
warm, in consequence of uncommon exercise, 



94 Neiv Guide to Health; 

30. Remember that regularity in diet is very impor- 
tant to preserve health; and that if more food is taken 
into the stomach, than is well digested, it clogs the sys- 
tem and causes disease. Therefore be cautious not to 
eat too much at a time, and have your food well cooked. 
This is very important to those who have weakly consti- 
tutions. 

31. Ardent spirit is slow poison; it is taken to stimu- 
late, but this effect is soon over, and much use of it de- 
stroys the tone of the stomach, injures the digestive 
powers, and causes disease. It is therefore much better, 
when the feelings require any thing of the kind, to make 
use of stimulating medicine, such as Nos. 2 and 6, for 
these will answer a far better purpose. 

By a strict observance of the foregoing directions, you 
may save much pain and expense, and enjoy good health 
and long life, which is the earnest wish of the writer. 



To make Milk Porridge. 

Put a quart of water in a kettle, with a proper quan- 
tity of salt, and while heating, mix a gill of flour in a 
bowl with water, made thick, and when the water is 
boiling hot, drop this into it with a spoon; let it be 
well boiled, then add half a pint of milk. This to be 
eaten while under the operation of the medicine; and 
is also good food for the sick, at any other time, espe- 
cially while the stomach is weak. 



To make Chicken Broth. 

Take a chicken and cut it in pieces; put the gizzard 
in with it, opened and cleaned, but not peeled. Boil it 
till the meat drops from the bone. Begin to give the 
broth as soon as there is any strength in it; and when 
boiled, eat some of the meat. Let it be well seasoned. 
This may be given instead of the milk porridge, and is 
very good for weak patients, particularly in cases of the 
dysentery. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 95 

When the operation of medicine is gone through, 
I have said that the patient may eat any kind of nour- 
ishing food his appetite should crave; but the best thing 
is, to take a slice of salt pork boiled, or beef steak, well 
done, and eat it with pepper-sauce; or take cayenne, 
vinegar and salt, mixed together, and eat with it, which 
is very good to create an appetite, and assist the digesture. 

DESCRIPTION 
Of several Cases of Disease, with Directions how they 
may be Cured. 

FELONS. 

This sore always comes on a joint, and is often caused 
by some strain or bruise, which makes a leak in the 
joint or muscle, and the sooner it has vent, the better. 
If it is brought to a head by poulticing, the skin being 
so thick that it will often be caused to break through the 
back of the hand, before it can get through the skin on 
the inside. The best way to give it vent, that I have 
ever found, is to burn a small piece of punk, the bigness 
of half a pea, on the place affected. If you think the flesh 
is dead down to the matter, you may prick the point of a 
needle into the dead skin, and raise it up and cut out a 
piece under the needle sufficient to let out the. matter* 
then apply poultice or salve. If painful, wrap it in cloths 
of several thicknesses, wet with cold water, and repeat 
this as often as it becomes hot or painful. Take the 
composition or warm medicine, to keep up an inward heat. 

If the sore has been several days coming, and appears 
nearly ripe, apply a piece of unslacked lime to the part 
affected, wrap it up and wet the cloth with cold water, 
till the lime is slacked; and repeat this till the skin looks 
of a purple color: then open it as before directed. This 
method is more safe and quick in causing a cure,, than 
laying it open with a knife, as is the practice of some 
doctors. By cutting the live flesh, it forms a leak, and 
often spoils the joint; but by searing them by either of 
the above modes, it secures and prevents the leak, and • 
makes a speedy cure. 



96 New Guide to Health; 

Freezes and Burns. 

These two names of disorder are one and the same 
thing, and require the same treatment. Take a cloth 
wet in cold water, and wrap several thicknesses round 
or laid on to the part, to be kept wet as often as the pain 
increases. Give warm medicine inside. It" the scald is 
dangerous, carry them through a regular course of med- 
icine, as though they had a lever, or any other acute dis- 
order; keep the cloth or poultice on to secure it from 
the air, from twelve to fourteen hours, -till the soreness 
or pain is entirely gone. If the skin is off, a poultice of 
flour bread wet with any of the articles composing No. 
3, and keep it wet with this tea or water till the sore dis- 
charges, then wash with soapsuds; when dressed, wash 
with the tea of No. 3, and continue the poultice or salve 
until a cure is effected. 

A freeze is direct cold, and a burn is attracted cold; 
for as much as the heat opens the pores more than usual, 
the cold follows and closes them as much more than they 
were before the operation of the heat; this stops the per- 
spiratiou from going through the surface, and the water 
collects under the grain of the skin, which is called blis- 
tering; the water applied in the cloth on the outside, 
opens the pores, and lets the water out by perspiration, 
and the grain adheres to the skin; the pain ceases, and 
the cure is completed. 



Cure of My Brother's Son of a Scald. 

He was about 14 years of age, and was taking off 
from the fire a kettle of boiling cider, the leg of the 
kettle caught by the log, tipped it forward, and poured 
the cider boiling hot, into a large bed of live embers, 
which covered his bare feet with this hot mass; he was 
obliged to hold on till the kettle was set on the floor, 
and then jumped into a pail of cold water, and stood 
there until his father procured some cloths, which he 
immediately wrapt his feet up in; his father laid by the 
fire to attend to pour on water, to keep the cloths rilled, 
which keeps the air from the surface, and eases the 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 97 

pain; for as the water wastes and lets the air to the 
burn, the pain will increase; but by pursuing this course 
for about two hours, the pain abated, and the boy fell 
asleep. Water was poured on the cloth but two or 
three times during the rest of the night, and in the morn- 
ing, preparation was made to dress the wound, when, 
to the surprise of all present, no blister had arisen, nor a 
particle of skin broken. He put on his stockings and 
shoes as usual, and went about his work, perfectly well. 



Case of a Boy ivho teas badly Scalded. 

A lady took off from the fire a tea-kettle filled with 
boiling water, when her little son, about six years old, 
stepped on the bail and turned the contents on to both his 
feet, and falling, one hand went into the tea-kettle; both 
feet and one hand were very badly scalded. I happened 
to be present, and immediately tore up cloth sufficient 
to do up each part, wetting them with cold water. I 
then put him in bed and gave him some warm medicine, 
put a warm stone at his feet, and wet the cloths as often 
as he complained of pain. In about two hours he fell 
asleep, after which, two or three times wetting the cloths, 
kept him easy through the night. In the morning on 
taking off the cloths, there was no appearance of blis- 
ters, nor any skin broken; and he put on his shoes and 
stockings and appeared as well as before the accident 
happened. It had been the declared opinion of the 
family the night before, that the boy would not be able 
to go to school for a fortnight; but on finding him well 
in the morning, were hardly willing to believe their own 
senses, or that the child had been scalded. 



General Remarks on Burns. 

Burns are the most easily cured, if rightly managed 
and understood, of any wounds I ever attended; and 
are the most difficult and dangerous, when not under- 
stood, and wrongly treated. How often have we seen 
these sores contkiue all winter and could not be healed? 
9 



98 New Guide to Health; 

as also, burns caused by blisters made with Spanish 
flies, which amount to the same thing. By not being 
treated in a proper manner in season, the canker gets in 
and eats out the flesh, after which what is called proud 
flesh fills up the sore. The doctor applies his sugar of 
lead, vitriol and red precipitate to eat out the dead flesh; 
this affects the cords and draws them out of shape and 
many times makes a sore that they cannot cure, which 
terminates in a mortifying canker sore. My friends, if 
you wish to avoid all this trouble, attend to what belongs 
to your peace and comfort, before it is hidden from your 
eyes; that' is, to attend to the canker, which always 
awaits such cases, and where the skin is off, in all cases 
of burns or blisters, apply a poultice of cracker, or elm 
bark wet with a tea of No. 3, until the canker is gone. 
Sometimes add ginger; if the inflammation is high, add a 
little of No. 2, with the ginger, keeping the poultice wet 
with cold water; when the sore discharges, apply salve 
till a cure is e fleeted. 

I shall continue my remarks on burns, by showing the 
evil consequences arising from blistering. Not long 
since I knew a case where a doctor drew a blister on a 
child's breast up to the neck, for being stuffed at the 
lungs. It lingered, with this scald near its vitals, about 
a week; I was then called to visit the child and found 
it to be dying. The mother asked me what I thought 
was the matter with it; I took off the dressing and 
showed her the mortified flesh all over the blister, and 
told her that was the disorder. She seemed much sur- 
prised; and I then asked her if the child had been 
scalded and it had mortified in like manner, whether she 
would have had any doubt of its being the cause of her 
child's death? she said that she should not. I gave her 
my opinion, that it was exactly a similar case, and that 
the child's death was caused as much by the blister as it 
would have been by a scald. The child died before 
morning. I had declined doing any thing for it, as I 
was satisfied that I could do it no good; and if I had 
made the attempt, it would have been said that I killed it. 
I have seen many cases where I was perfectly satis- 
fied that the patients died in consequence of blisters, 
not only on the stomach, but on the head. In many 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 99 

that I have witnessed, where a blister was drawn on the 
head, as soon as it began to draw, their senses were gone, 
and did not return till they died raving, or stupiiied. 
More than half the cases where the head was shaved and 
blistered, that have come within my knowledge, have 
died. I never could see any reason why a scald on the 
head or body, done on purpose, should have a tendency 
to effect a cure, when the person is sick, and the same 
thing happening to them by accident, when well, should 
destroy their health or cause their death. If a person 
should have their head or stomach so badly scalded as to 
take off the skin, we should consider them in the most 
dangerous condition; but nothing is said about it when 
drawn on purpose. I shall leave it to the reader to re- 
concile, if he can, this inconsistency. I have known 
most dangerous stranguries caused by blisters on the 
sides and limbs, and those who applied them did not 
know the cause, and I have been applied to for relief. 



Mortification of the Limbs. 

I was called oti to' go on board a vessel, at Eastport, 
to see a young man, who had had a block fall from mast 
head on his foot, weighing 13 1-2 pounds, which bruised 
all his toes to pieces except the little one. The accident 
happened on Friday, and I did not see him till the Tues- 
day following; during which he had neither eat nor 
slept. His nerves were much affected, and had spasms 
and convulsions through the whole system. I took off 
the dressing from his foot, and found it black, and the 
smell very offensive. The captain of the vessel appear- 
ed to be very anxious about him, asked me if I could 
help his foot; I told him that I must first try to save 
his life, for his whole body was as much disordered as 
his foot. He requested me to do what I thought best. 
I put a poultice of meal on his foot, and wet the cloth 
with cold water, to allay the heat; then gave him medi- 
cine the same as though he had been attacked with a 
nervous fever. The captain attended him through the 
night, and I went to see him the next morning, and 
found him much better. The captain said he was aston- 



100 New Guide to Health; 

ished at the operation of the medicine, for that his vom- 
iting and sweating had carried off all the pain in his body 
and foot, and had also reconciled the nerves. 

I unbound his foot and found that the black and yellow 
streaks up the leg had disappeared, and on the foot, all 
the flesh that was alive, seemed to receive fresh support 
from the body; and the living and dead flesh appeared 
as though two colors were painted by the side of each 
other. I then made a lie of pearlash in warm water, 
and soaked his foot in it, which caused a slimy glaze 
all over his foot; this took away all the offensive smell; 
and I washed it with vinegar to kill the alkali and keep 
it from irritating the skin. The acid cleared off all 
the slimy matter, so that it wiped clean. I then cut 
off the great toe at the middle joint, and the two next 
at the upper joint, and set the next, which was broken. 
I cut none of the flesh but what was dead, to stop in 
part the putrefaction. I then put on another poultice, 
and ordered it to be kept wet with cold water, and a 
warm stone wrapped in a wet cloth, to be put to his 
feet to keep a steam, giving him warm medicines inside 
to keep up the inward heat; and by wetting the foot 
with cold water, it kept the determining power to the 
surface. Thus raising the fountain and lowering the 
stream. By this treatment it becomes impossible that 
mortification can go from the limbs to the body, any more 
than a log that floats over the dam, can go back again 
into the pond, when the fountain is kept full. The next 
day I dressed his foot and found that the dead flesh had 
digested very much; I again soaked it in pearlash. and 
then washed in vinegar as before, which was of great 
service in allaying the bad smell. I then caused him 
to be carried through a regular course of medicine, 
which completely restored his bodily health; his appe- 
tite was good, and all pain and soreness abated, so that 
he took food regularly, and lost no sleep afterwards, 
till he got entirely well, which was in about four weeks. 
The captain was a very good nurse, and was faithful 
in attendance on the young man till he got well; and 
expressed the highest gratitude for my attention and 
success; and as a proof of his confidence in the medi- 
cine, he purchased a right, for which he paid me twenty 



or. Botanic Family Physician. 101 

silver dollars, observing at the same time, that he never 
paid for any thing with more satisfaction. 



Old Canker Sores on the Legs. 

When I was a young man, I was much troubled 
through the winter, for many years, with sores on my 
legs. At the commencement of cold weather, if I broke 
the grain on my shin, » it would become a bad sore, and 
continue through the winter; the canker would get into 
it and eat to the bone, and sometimes spread under the 
grain like a burn, and feel the same, being extremely 
sore, with stings and twinges like a cancer. These sores 
were so troublesome, that it led me to invent a cure; 
finding the cause to be canker, I took some of the ar- 
ticles composing No. 3, steeped strong, and washed the 
part affected with it; if there was a bad smell, I first 
washed the sore with strong soap suds, taking off all the 
loose skin, which was blistered with cankery humor, 
and then washed with a tea of No. 3, to destroy the 
canker and harden the sore; sometimes wetting it with 
the drops. If the inflammation run high, and the sore 
spread fast, I put into it a pinch of fine No. 2; then put 
on a poultice of white bread and ginger, wet with the 
above tea, wrapping it up with several thicknesses of 
cloths wet with cold water; wetting them as often as dry, 
so as to be painful, and did not let the sore comedo the 
air for twenty-four hours. In this time, if kept well wet 
and warm, it will discharge ripe matter, and the inflam- 
mation and canker will afbate. When next dressed, wash 
first with soap suds as before, then with the tea; if the 
soreness is gone, you may apply the healing salve, with 
the wet cloths, if going to bed, to keep out the air; put 
occasionally a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths, to the 
feet to keep up a steam, and wetting the sore if painful 
with cold water. Take medicine to keep up the inward 
heat; such as composition or hot bitters, and when these 
do not answer the purpose, go through a course of the 
medicine, and repeat as occasion may require. This 
method, if persevered in, I seldom knew to fail of success. 
9* 



102 Mw Guide to Health; 

I was called to attend a case of this kind, not long 
since, where the inflammation and pain was very great, 
and fast spreading under the grain of the skin; there 
had been applied an elm and ginger poultice, made with 
tea of No. 3. I opened and only added a pinch of No. 
2, and laid on the poultice again, putting on a wet cloth, 
and ordered it kept wet with cold water till next morn- 
ing; when on dressing it, found the inflammation abat- 
ed, the sore discharged ripe matter, and by two dress- 
ings more of the same, the cure was completed. 



Case of the Bite of a Rat, supposed to he Mad. 

Not long since, I was sent for to attend a man who 
had been bitten on one of his eyebrows by a rat, sup- 
posed to be mad. The wound healed in a few days, 
then turned purple round it, as though the blood had 
settled, and turned more black, until he was blind. He 
was sick at the stomach, and had a high fever. I car- 
ried him through a course of the medicine, but with little 
advantage. The swelling and dark color progressed 
till he was about the color of a blackberry pie. These 
appearances led me to suspect that the madness of the 
rat was caused by eating ratsbane, and communicated 
this poison to the man by the bite, as he appeared the 
same as a person I had once seen, who had been killed 
by taking that poison. I then washed his face with a 
strong tea of Nos. 1 and 2, and gave the same inward 
with No. 3, carried him through another course of med- 
icine, keeping a cloth on his face wet with the tea as 
before, to keep out the air when under the operation 
of the medicine, to sweat his face and throw the poison 
out. I kept him in a sweat for several days, occasion- 
ally with his face secured from the air, which method 
had the desired effect, by bringing the poison out. By 
continually keeping up the perspiration, the swelling 
abated: but whenever this was not well attended to, so 
as to keep the determining powers to the surface, the 
spasms would increase to such a degree that his life was 
frequently despaired of. He was carefully attended in 
this manner about one month, before I could determine 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 103 

in my own mind, whether the disease or nature would 
gain the victory; after which time he began gradually 
to gain his health, and in about six months, he appeared 
to be clear of the poison. The man was sixty years of 
age; and the accident happening in the fall of the year, 
it was much more difficult to conquer this cold and dead- 
ly poison, than it would have been in warm weather. 
This case convinced me that the cause of mad rats and 
mad cats, is owing to the rats having been poisoned by 
ratsbane, the cats eat them and become affected by the 
poison, which makes them mad, and by biting the peo- 
ple, communicate the poison, from which many fatal 
consequences have frequently happened. 



Bad ivound in the Eye cured. 

While I was at Eastport, Maine, a man was cutting 
turf, about twelve miles from that place, and accidentally 
had a pitchfork stuck into one of his eyes, by a person 
who was pitching the turf near him. It passed by 
the eyeball, and stuck fast in the scull, so that it was 
with considerable exertion that he could draw it out. 
The eye swelled and closed up immediately, and the 
people were much frightened, and sent for me; but it so 
happened that I could not go. I gave directions to the 
man who came after me, to return and carry him through 
a course of medicine as soon as possible, keeping several 
thicknesses of cloth wet with cold water on his eye, and 
not open it for twelve hours; and to keep him in a 
perspiration the whole time. This was faithfully attend- 
ed to; and on opening the wound after the above time, 
the swelling was all gone, the eye was open, and a large 
quantity of blood was in the wet cloth, which had been 
drawn from the eye. They continued the wet cloth, and 
gave him warm medicine inside, keeping him in a gentle 
perspiration for the next twenty-four hours, which clear- 
ed the eye of all the blood, restored the sight, and amend- 
ed his health, that he was well in about a week, to the 
astonishment of all who saw him. 



104 New Guide to Health; 

Cancer Sores. 

A concise and general treatise on this violent and 
often fatal disease, may convey some useful ideas on the 
subject. The cause of this sore is very little understood. 
In all sores of an eating nature, there is more or less 
canker, according to their virulence. A cancer is the 
highest degree of canker, being the most powerful effects 
of cold, and consequently the greatest degree of inflam- 
mation; therefore the remedies ought to be those of a 
warming nature, as the greatest preventives against can- 
ker. Whenever a violent inflammation is discovered, it 
is supposed that heat causes the difficulty; but the fact 
is, it is only evidence of a war between heat and cold; 
for there is no inflammation where there is perfect health, 
because heat then bears complete rule; and no disease 
can take place until the cold makes an attack on the body, 
which causes an unnatural heat to oppose an unnatural 
cold; wherever the cold takes possession, the inflamma- 
tion shows itself, by stopping the circulation; the effect 
is swelling, inflamed callus, arising from some leak, caus- 
ed by the natural course being stopped. If it suppurates, 
and discharges, it is called ulcer, bile, and the like, and 
the canker goes off" with the putrefaction. If the leak is 
so slow as to callus as fast as they discharge it, it be- 
comes a hard dead .lump of flesh, and not having circula- 
tion enough to support it, it begins to rot; here the canker 
shows its eating nature; being seated in the dead flesh, 
and eating on the live flesh, which is intermixed with it, 
causes pain and distress, in proportion as the body is 
filled with coldness and canker; if this is sufficient to 
keep the power above the natural circulation, the patient 
will continue in this distressed situation, being eaten up 
alive, until worn out with the pain, death comes as a 
friend to relieve them. This is the natural termination 
of this dreadful malady; which is far better than to com- 
bine with it the common form of practice in using arsenic, 
which only helps to eat up and distress the patient. 

In order to give a more correct idea of the dangerous 
effect of making use of arsenic in cancers, I shall make 
a short extract from Thacher's Dispensatory, on the 
subject: — " Arsenic has long been known to be the 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 105 

basis of the celebrated cancer powder. It has been 
sprinkled in substance on the ulcer; but this mode of 
using it is excessively painful, and extremely dangerous; 
fatal effects have been produced from its absorption. 
This fact I have known in several instances, where 
Davidson's agents and others have undertaken to draw 
out cancers, when the patient would absorb enough of 
this poison, which seating on the lungs, caused them to 
die with the consumption, in the course of one year." 
My wish, in exposing this nostrum, is to benefit those 
who may be ignorant of the imposition; for it may be 
relied on as a truth, that there is more or less poison in 
all those burning plasters, used to cure cancers; and I 
would advise all to beware of them; it will be much safer 
to risk the cancer than the cancer quack. 

The principal object aimed at is to take out the bunch, 
and in doing that by the above method, a worse evil is 
inoculated, which is more fatal than the cancer. The 
tumor is a mixture of live and dead flesh, and is often 
under a live skin; if it is necessary to make an incision 
through the live skin, in order to dissolve the dead flesh, 
the best way is to burn a piece of punk on the place, 
and repeat it till the flesh is dead enough to suppurate. 
The smart will be but two or three minutes, and not so 
painful as the arsenic for the same time, which will last 
for twelve hours. Where the tumor is small, the can- 
cer balsam will be found sufficient, by repeating the plas- 
ter for two or three weeks, to take out the dead flesh, 
and remove the canker; after this is done, apply a gin- 
ger and elm poultice, wet with a tea of No. 3. If the 
system appears to be generally affected with tiie cancer 
humor, carry them through a common course of medi- 
cine, and repeat the same while attending to the sore. 

I had a cancer on my foot about the bigness of an In- 
dian corn, which had troubled me twice, by* acute, dart- 
ing pains and twinges. I cured it by applying a plaster 
of the cancer balsam; repeating it twice at each time. 
Where there is dead flesh under the skin, it is best to 
burn the punk first, and then apply the poultice or bal- 
sam; and it is also recommended to always give medicine 
to eradicate the canker from the system, both before and 
after the operation on the sore. 



106 New Guide to Health; 

Three cancers on the breast have come under my 
care, that I could not cure. One of them was as large 
as a half peck measure, and grew fast to the breast 
bone. I carried the woman through a course of medi- 
cine several times, and applied a poultice of butternut 
shucks, to dissolve the dead flesh, and continued this 
course for some months, until the bunch had more than 
half dissolved, and had grown off from the bone, so that 
it was quite loose; and I was in hopes to have effected 
a cure; but she was taken with a fever in my absence, 
and died. The other two I could relieve, and keep them 
free from pain, making them comfortable as long as they 
lived; but nature was too far exhausted to complete a 
cure. I have had' under my care many other cases of 
cancers on the breast and other parts of the body, 
which I had no difficulty in curing in the manner before 
stated. 

I shall conclude this subject by a few general remarks, 
viz: Guard thoroughly against canker and coldness. 
Attend to the canker by a course of medicine, and re- 
peat it. Use the ginger poultice if the inflammation is 
great*, putting some No. 2, raw in the sore, then apply 
the poultice, keeping it wet with cold water, not forget- 
ting the composition and No. 2. inside, at the same time. 
Let all poisonous drugs, burning plasters, and caustics 
alone. Attend faithfully to the directions here given; 
honor your own judgment; keep your money ; and bid 
deiiance to doctors. 



Piles; how cured. 

I was called to attend an elderly man in South Read- 
ing, who had been confined to the house, and much of 
the time to his bed, for seven weeks, with the Piles. 
Seven doctors attended him before I was sent for, and 
he had continued to grow worse. The doctors had 
operated on one side, and said they must on the other; 
it was their opinion, as well as his, that he was in a de- 
cline. The side that they had operated upon was much 
worse to cure than the other. I carried him through a 
regular course of medicine twice in three days, when 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 107 

he was able to go out of doors. The injection compos- 
ed of No. 3, steeped, and a small quantity of No. 2, was 
used; warm tallow was applied freely several times in 
the day. sometimes washing externally with the same 
tea. He had been dieted very low; I restored his di- 
gestive powers, and recovered his appetite; his sores 
healed, his general health amended to such a degree, 
that he was no more confined with that complaint. A 
little tallow used when going to bed, prevents piles and 
chafes in young and old. Remember this. 



Sore Heads in Children; (Scalt Heads.) 

This sore often comes after having had the itch; ker- 
nels form in the neck; it is contagious, being caused 
by canker and putrefaction. The most effectual way 
to cure this disease, is to carry them through a course 
of medicine several times, as the case may require, pre- 
vious to which the head should be oiled, and covered 
with cabbage leaves; or draw a bladder over the head, 
to keep out the cold air. The head should be covered 
so as to make it sweat as much as possible, in order to 
dissolve the hard scabs. After laying all night, the srnell 
will be offensive; wash the head in soap suds; when 
clean, wash it also with a tea of No. 3, after which wash 
with a tea of No. 1. Sometimes annoint it with the 
Rheumatic drops and nerve ointment — \et it come to 
the air by degrees. Be careful to guard the stomach 
by giviug composition, warm bitters, &c. The oint- 
ment, drops, and No. 1, in powder or juice, may be oc- 
casionally used together or separate. Continue to wash 
with soap suds, and then with No. 3; occasionally, until 
a cure is effected. 

Sore Breasts. 

Some women suffer very much from this complaint, 
which is caused by cbid, occasioning obstructions in the 
, glands of the breast. When they are swelled, bathe 
with the rheumatic drops, or pepper vinegar; if this 
does not remove the swelling, and # it should be necessa- 



108 New Guide to Health; 

ry to bring it to a head, apply a poultice of lily root, 
made thick with ginger and slippery elm bark; at the 
same time, give the composition powder or No. 2, to 
keep up the inward heat. If the woman is sick, carry 
her through a regular course of the medicine, which will 
remove the complaint and restore her to health in a short 
time. I have cured many who were very bad, by pur- 
suing the above plan, and never met with difficulty. I 
attended a woman in Portsmouth, who had both breasts 
badly swelled. She was sitting by the window with it 
up, and could hardly get her breath; she could not bear 
to have any fire in the room, complaining that it made 
her faint. I told her that if I could not make her bear 
heat, I could do her no good. I gave her some No. 2, 
to raise the inward heat, and caused a good fire to be 
made in the room. The inward heat gained as fast as 
the outward, and in one hour she could bear as warm a 
fire as I could. I carried her through three regular 
courses of the medicine in five days, and at the same 
time applied the lily poultice, which brought them to a 
head without pain; and she was soon well. 



To stop Bleeding. 

Internal bleeding is from the stomach or lungs, and 
is caused by canker, or soreness of the stomach; it often 
takes place very suddenly, and creates much alarm. 
The patient sometimes trembles with fright, and often 
has fits of the ague, which is caused by the cold increas- 
ing in proportion to the loss of blood. In the first place 
shield them from the air with a blanket, by the fire, and 
give the hottest medicine you have; if nothing better 
can be had, give hot water, or any kind of hot tea; and 
get a perspiration as soon as possible; then apply the 
steam bath, giving ginger tea, or No. 2, if you have it, 
if not, black pepper. As soon as there is an equilibrium 
in the circulation, there will be no more pressure of the 
blood to the stomach or lungs, than to the extremities, 
and the bleeding will cease. It has been my practice in 
cases of this kind, to give some of the rheumatic drops, 
shield them from the air with a blanket, placed by the 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 109 

fire; then give a dose of the composition powders, and 
No. 2; and if this does not answer the purpose, give a 
dose of No. 1, which, with the steam, I never knew 
fail of stopping the blood; and by giving medicine to 
remove the canker and restore the digestive powers, I 
have always been able to effect a cure. The same ap- 
plication will answer for other weakening and alarming 
complaints in women. 

External bleeding, caused by wounds in the- limbs, 
may be stopped by placing the wound higher than the 
body. One of my sons cut his leg very badly; I placed 
him on the floor and took his foot in my lap; as soon as 
the wound was higher than the body, the bleeding ceased. 
I then poured on cold water till the wound was white; 
then put in a few drops of No. 6, took two or three stitches 
to bring the wound together, dressed it with salve, and 
It soon got well with very little soreness. Another case of 
a little girl, who cut off the main artery of the middle 
finger, and it bled very fast. I put my thumb above the 
wound and stopped the blood; then poured on cold water 
with my other hand, and washed the wound well; then 
placed her hand above her head, which prevented it 
from bleeding, till I could get readv to dress the wound. 
It bled no more, and soon got well. 



Rupture. 

This difficulty is caused by a hurt or strain, which 
makes a breach in the tough film, or membrane, that 
supports the bowels in their place, and the intestines 
come down into the cavity between this membrane and 
the skin; being sometimes very painful and difficult to 
be got back; and have to be kept from coming down by 
a truss. When the bowels come down and remain any 
length of time, they become swelled, and are very painful, 
causing great distress and danger; and sometimes have 
proved fatal, as they cannot be got up again till the 
swelling is removed. This may be effected by a course 
of the medicine without danger. 

A Mr. Woodbury, of Durham, was troubled with a 
rupture; his bowels came down, swelled, and was very 
10 



110 JVew Guide to Health; 

painful; a doctor was sent for from Portsmouth, who ap- 
plied a bag of snow, which drove the pain to the stomach 
and caused puking. The swelling increased, and be* 
came very hard. The case now becoming desperate, 
and the family being alarmed, I was sent for, and on 
hearing the circumstances, sent some medicine, and gave 
directions to sweat him as soon as possible. My direc- 
tions were faithfully attended to, and as soon as he be- 
came warm, the nerves slackened, the swelling abated, 
all appearance of mortification disappeared, the bowels 
went back, and in twelve hours he was restored from a 
dangerous situation, to almost his usual state of health. 
In this case may be seen the difference between the ar- 
tificial doctor, and nature's physician, which is the same 
as between fire and snow. 



Ague in the Face. 

This is caused by cold in the glands of the mouth, 
which keeps back the saliva till it causes swelling and 
soreness; the canker becomes prevalent at the same 
time, which causes severe pain in the face and throat. 
The sooner a cure is attempted the better; to effect 
this, take a dose of the tea of No. 3, with a tea-spoonful 
of No. 6, in it, for the canker; then tie a small quantity 
of No. 2 in a fine piece of cloth, wet with No. 6, and 
put it between the teeth and cheek, on the side where the 
pain is; set by the fire covered by a blanket, and breathe 
the warm air from the fire: this will prick the glands 
and cause the saliva to flow very freely, which will take 
out the soreness and relieve the pain. The face may 
be bathed at the same time with No. 6. If the case 
is of long standing, so that the system is affected, and 
this does not remove the complaint, give a dose of No. 1. 
If it is caused by decayed teeth, fill the hollow with cot- 
ton wool, wet with oil of " summersavory, or spirits of 
turpentine, which will deaden the nerve, and stop its 
aching. This is good in all cases of the teeth-ache, 
and will generally effect a cure without extracting. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. Ill 

To relax the Muscles in setting a Bone. 

This may be done by bathing the part with warm 
water, and is much better than the method that is gener- 
ally practised, of extending the muscles by the strength 
of several persons, which weakens the part so much, 
that the bones are liable to get out of place again; be- 
sides, the operation causes severe pain to the patient and 
much trouble to the operator, which is all obviated by 
my method. In cases where a joint is put out, or a bone 
broken, give a dose of No. 2, or the composition pow- 
der with half a tea-spoonful of nerve-powder, which 
will promote a perspiration, prevent fainting, and quiet 
the nerves; then wrap the part in cloths wet with 
water as hot as it can be borne, and pour on the warm 
water, placing a pan underneath to catch it, for a short 
time, when the muscles will become relaxed, so that the 
bones may be put in their place with little trouble. 

I was once called to a woman who had put her elbow 
out of joint by a fall from her horse. It was badly out, 
being twisted about one quarter of the way round. I 
ordered some water to be made hot immediately, stripped 
her arm, and as soon as the water was hot, put a towel 
in a large tin pan and poured the hot water on it till well 
wet; as soon as cool enough, wrapped it round her arm 
from her wrist to her shoulder; then placed the pan un- 
der her arm, and poured on the water from a pitcher, as 
hot as she could bear it, for about fifteen minutes. .1 
then took off the towel and directed one person to take 
hold of the arm above the elbow and another below, to 
steady it; and then placed my fingers against the end of 
the bone on the under side, and my thumb against that 
on the upper side, and by a gentle pressure each way," 
set the joint without pain, or force on the muscles, to 
the astonishment of all present, who calculated that it 
would require the strength of several men. I then wrap- 
ped it up with the same towel, which had become cold; 
this brought the muscles to their proper tone, and kept 
the joint firm in its place; put her arm in a sling and 
she walked home that night, about a mile, and the next 
day was well enough to knit all day. 

In case a shoulder is out of joint, I relax the muscles 
in the same manner, and put the arm over my shoulder 



112 New Guide io Health ; 

and lift up, which has always put the joint in its place, 
without any danger and with very little pain to the pa- 
tient; and then by applying cold water, the muscles will 
become braced, so that there will be no danger of its 
getting out again. I knew of a case where a man had 
his hip turned out, and several doctors had exhausted all 
their skill in vain to set it; when, one of my agents be- 
ing present, undertook it by my plan of treatment, and 
after he had relaxed the muscles' sufficiently, put his knee 
against the hip joint, and placing his hand on the inside 
of the knee, turned the leg out and crowded the joint 
into its place without any difficulty. 



Poison by Ivy or Dogwood. 

Many people are troubled with this difficulty every 
season, and I have been much afflicted with it myself in 
my younger days, often being poisoned in such manner 
as to swell and break out very badly, and knew no rem- 
edy but to let. it have its course, which was almost as 
bad as the small pox. One of my sons was often afflict- 
ed in this way, and one season was poisoned three times, 
so as to be blind for several days. I long sought a rem- 
edy without success, till I found it in the emetic herb. 
By washing with a tincture of the green plant as is di- 
rected in the second preparation of the emetic herb, on 
the first appearance of the disease, is a certain remedy. 
If the complaint has been for any length of time, and has 
become bad, it will be necessary to take a dose of the pow- 
dered emetic, first preparation, to clear the system of the 
poison, at the same time of washing with the tincture. 
, A tea made of the powdered leaves and pods, will do to 
wash with, when the tincture, or green plant cannot be 
had. The powdered seeds, with Nos. 2 and 6, third 
preparation, may -also be used for the same purpose. 



Measles. 

This disease is very common, especially among chil- 
dren, and is often attended with bad consequences^ when 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 113 

> 
not properly treated. It is a high state of canker and 
putrefaction; and if the determining powers are kept 
to the surface, it will make its appearance on the out- 
side, and go off of itself; but if cold overpowers the in- 
ward heat, so as to turn the determining powers inward, 
the disease will not make its appearance, and the patient 
will become much distressed, frequently producing fatal 
consequences, if some powerful stimulant is not-admin- 
istered, to bring the disorder out. To give physic in 
cases of this kind is very dangerous, as it strengthens 
the power of cold, and keeps the canker and putrefaction 
inside, which sometimes seats upon the lungs and causes 
consumption; or turns to the stomach and bowels, when 
they die suddenly, as has been the case with hundreds,- 
for a few years past. I have attended a great many 
cases of the measles in the course of my practice, and 
never lost one; and never have known of any that have 
died of this disorder, wha were attended by any of my 
agents. When the symptoms make their appearance, 
give a dose of the composition powder, or of No. 2; 
then give the tea of No. 3, to guard against canker, and 
add some No. 2, to overpower the cold; and when the 
second dose is given, add No. 1, to clear the stomach, 
and promote perspiration. As soon as this takes place, 
the disorder will show itself on the outside. By contin- 
uing to keep the determining power to the surface, na- 
ture will take its regular course, and the disease will go 
off without injuring the constitution. If the bowels ap- 
pear to be disordered, give an injection; and be careful 
to keep the patient warm. 

I once had a case of a young woman who had the 
measles; she lingered with the symptoms four or five 
days, and then become very sick, turned of a dark pur- 
ple color, and had a high fever, when I was called to 
attend her. I gave her a strong dose of No. 3, steeped, 
and put in it a spoonful of the third preparation of No. 
1, which caused such a violent struggle, that I had to 
hold her in the bed; but it was soon over, for in about 
ten minutes she vomited, and a perspiration took place, 
which was followed by the measles coming out, so that 
she was completely covered with the eruption. She was 
soon well and about her work. 
10* 



114 New Guide to Health; 

4 

Small Pox. 

This disease is the highest state of canker and putre- 
faction, which the human body is capable of receiving, 
and is the most contagious, being taken in with the breath, 
or may be communicated by imioculation, in which case 
it is not so violent and dangerous as when taken in the 
natural way. The distressing and often fatal consequences 
that have happened in cases of the small pox, are more 
owin^ to the manner in which it has been treated, than 
to the disease. The fashionable mode of treatment in 
this disease, has been to give physic, and reduce the 
strength, by starving the patient and keeping them cold. 
This is contrary to common sense, as it weakens the 
friend and strengthens the enemy; and the same cause 
would produce similar effects in any other disorder. All 
that is necessary, is to assist nature to drive out the can- 
ker and putrefaction, which is the cause of the disease, 
by keeping the determining powers to the surface, in 
which case there will be no danger. The same manner 
of treatment should be used in this complaint as has been 
directed for the measles. The canker-rash, and all kinds 
of disease that a person is not liable to have but once, 
such as chicken-pox, swine-pox, &c, are from the same 
cause, and must be treated in a similar manner. 



Cough. 

The general opinion is, that cough is an enemy to 
health, and ought to be treated as such; but this idea I 
hold to be altogether an error; for it is the effect, and 
not the cause of disease. When the lungs are diseased, 
there will be a collection of matter, which must be 
thrown off; and the cough is like the pump of a ship, 
which discharges the water, and prevents her from sink- 
ing; so also the cough throws off what collects on the 
lungs, which, if suffered to remain, would soon putrify 
and cause death. It is a common saying, that I have 
a bad cough, and can get nothing to stop it; and the 
doctor often says, if I could stop your cough, I should 
have hopes of a cure; but this is as unreasonable as it 
would be to stop the pumps of a ship, which would cause 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 115 

her to sink the sooner. Ask a sailor what he would -do, 
and he would say, keep the pump going till you can stop 
the leak,- and when that is stopped, the pump will be- 
come useless, as there will be nothing to throw off. 
Such medicine should be given as will promote the cough, 
till the cause can be removed, which is cold and canker 
on the lungs; after this is done, there will be no more 
cough. If a cough is caused by a sudden cold, it may- 
be removed by taking the composition powder on going 
to bed, with a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths put to the 
feet, to produce a perspiration, and at the same time tak- 
ing the cough powder, which will make the patient raise 
easy, and also help to remove the cause. When the 
cough has become seated, and the lungs are diseased, 
they must be carried through a regular course of the 
medicine, repeating the same as occasion may require, 
till a cure is effected, at the same time giving the cough 
powder, especially on going to bed. 

Whooping cough must be treated in the same manner 3 
continue to give the cough powders till cured. 



Jaundice. 

Much has been said about the bile, or gall, being an 
enemy in case of sickness; but this is a mistake, for it is 
a friend, and should be treated as such. It is the main 
spring to life, and the regulator of health, as without it 
the food could not be digested. When people have what 
is called the jaundice, it is the prevailing opinion that 
they have too much bile, and it is said they are bilious; 
this is a mistaken notion, for there is no such thing as 
being too much gall, it would be more correct to say there 
was not enough. The difficulty is caused by the stomach 
being cold and foul, so that the food is not properly di- 
gested; and the bile not being appropriated to its natural 
use, is diffused through the pores of the skin, which be- 
comes of a yellow color. The symptoms are want of 
appetite, costiveness, faintness, and the patient will be 
dull and sleepy; these are evidences of bad digesture, 
and loss of inward he^t. The only way to effect a cure 
is, to promote perspiration, cleanse the stomach, and re- 



116 •Vcif Guide to Health; 

the digestive powers, which will cause the bile to 
: the purpose nature designed it. 
Nature has contrived that each part of the body should 
perforin its proper duty in maintaining health, and if 
there is no obstruction, there would never be disease. 
The gall bladder grows on the liver, and is placed be- 
tween that and the stomach, so that when the latter is 
filed with food, the bile is discharged into the stomach 
to cli^rest it. The bile never makes disorder, for it is 
perfectly innocent, being nature's friend; and those ap- 
pearances called bilious, show the effect of disease, and 
not the cause. The gall is a very bitter substance, and 
it is the practice of the doctors, to order bitter medicine 
to cure the jaundice, and this seems to be the universal 
opinion, which is correct; but it certainly contradicts 
the notion that there is too much bile, for if there be too 
much, whv give medicine to make more? I have attend- 
ed manv cases of this kind, and never had any difficulty 
in effecting a cure. My method is to give Xo. 2. or the 
composition powders, to raise the internal heat, and Xo. 
1. to cleanse the stomach and promote perspiration; 
then give the bitters. Xo. 4. to regulate the bile and re- 
store the digestive powers. If the complaint has been of 
long standing, and the system is much disordered, they 
must be carried through a regular course of the medi- 
cine: and repeat it as occasion may require, at the same 
time give the bitters two or three times a day. till the ap- 
petite is good, and the digesture restored. Any of the 
articles described under the head of Xo. 4, are good, 
and may be freely used for all bilious complaints. 



Worms. 

A great deal is said about worms causing sickness, and 
there is scarcely a disease that children are afflicted with, 
but what is attributed to worms. The doctors talk about 
worm complaints, worm fevers, worm cholics. Sec, and 
give medicine to destroy the worms; by so doing, they 
frequently destroy their patients. There was never a 
greater absurdity than their practice, and the universal 
opinion about worms causing disease. The fact is. they 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 117 

are created, and exist in the stomach and bowels for a 
useful purpose, and are friendly to health, instead of be- 
ing an enemy; they are bred and supported by the cold 
phlegm that collects in the stomach and bowels; this is 
their" element; and the more there is of it, the more 
there will be of the worms; they never cause disease, 
but are caused by it. Those who are in health, are never 
troubled with worms, because they are then quiet, and 
exist in their natural element; everyone has more or 
less of them; and the reason why children are more 
troubled with what is called worm complaints, is because 
they are more subject to be disordered in their stomach 
and bowels than grown persons. When children are 
sick, and their breath smells bad, it is said they have 
worms, and every thing is laid to them; but this is owing 
to disease caused by canker, for there is nothing in the 
nature of worms that can affect the breath. In cases of 
this kind, the only thing necessary is to cleanse the stom- 
ach by getting rid of the cold phlegm, and restoring the 
digestive powers, when there will be no difficulty with 
the worms. 

The common practice of the doctors is to give calo- 
mel and other poiso'ns to kill the worms; this must ap- 
pear to any one, who examines into the subject, to be 
very wrong as well as dangerous; for the worms can- 
not be killed by it, without poisoning the whole contents 
of the stomach. I once knew of a case of a child who, 
after eating a breakfast of bread and milk, was taken 
sick; a doctor was sent for, who said it was caused by 
worms, and gave a dose of calomel to destroy them, which 
caused fits; the child vomited and threw up its break- 
fast; a dog that happened to be in the room eat what the 
child threw up; he was soon taken sick and died; the 
child got well. The fortunate accident of the child's 
throwing off its stomach what it had taken, probably 
saved its life, for if there was poison enough to kill a dog, 
it must have killed the child. The absurdity of such 
practice is like the story related by Dr. Franklin, of a 
man who was troubled with a weasle in his barn, and to 
get rid of the weasle he set fire to his barn and burnt it up. 
I had the following relation from the doctor who attended 
the cases; three children had what he called a worm fe- 



118 New Guide to Health ; 

ver; and he undertook to kill the worms. One of them 
died, and he requested liberty to open it to see what would 
destroy worms, in order to know how to cure the others; 
but the parents would not consent. The second died, 
and the parents consented to have it opened; but after 
searching the stomach and bowels, to their surprise, no 
worms could be found. The third soon after died. The 
fact was, their death was caused by canker on the stom- 
ach and bowels, and the medicine given increased the 
difficulty by drawing the determining powers inward, 
which aided the cold to promote the canker. Where 
children die by such treatment, the blame is all laid to 
the worms, and the doctor escapes censure. 

I have had a great deal of experience in what are 
called worm complaints; and after having become ac- 
quainted with the real cause, have had no difficulty in 
curing all that I have undertaken. I began with my 
own children. One of them was troubled with what 
was supposed to be worms; I employed a doctor, who 
gave pink root, and then physic to carry it off with the 
worms. It would shortly after have another turn, which 
would be worse; he went on in this way, and the worms 
kept increasing, till I became satisfied that he was 
working on the effect, and neglected the cause, when 
I dismissed him, and undertook the cure myself. I first- 
ly gave the warmest medicine I then knew of to clear 
off the cold phlegm; and gave bitter medicine, such as 
poplar bark, wormwood, tansy, and physic made of the 

twigs of butternut, to cleanse the stomach and to cor- 
es . - , 7 

rect the bile. By pursuing this plan, the child soon got 
well, and was no more troubled with worms. A child 
in the neighborhood where I lived, about six years old, 
was taken sick in the morning, and the doctor was sent 
for, who gave medicine for worms; soon after, it had 
fits, and continued in convulsions during the day, and 
at night died. I was satisfied that its death was hasten- 
ed, if not caused, by what was given. When the stom- 
ach is diseased, or when poison is taken into it, the 
worms try to flee from their danger, which causes dis- 
tress, and they sometimes get into knots and stop the 
passages to the stomach. Much more might be said on 
this subject; but enough has been stated to put those 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 119 

who attend to it on their guard against the dangerous 
practice of giving medicine to kill worms. 

My practice has been what I shall recommend to oth- 
ers to do, in case of what is called worm complaints, to 
give the composition powders, or No. 2, to warm the 
.stomach, a tea of No. 3, to remove the canker, and the 
bitters or either of the articles described under No. 4, to 
correct the bile. If they are bad, carry them through a 
course of the medicine, and give the bitters. When 
there are nervous symptoms give the nerve powder. In- 
jections should also be frequently given. The butternut 
syrup is very good. If there should be danger of mor- 
tification, make use of No. 6, both in the medicine giv- 
en, and in the injections. 

The tape-worm is from the same cause as other worms, 
and may be cured in the same manner. They are, when 
single, about half an inch long, and one third as wide; 
they join together and appear like tape, and often come 
away in long pieces of several yards. I was once trou- 
bled with them, and used to be faint, and have no appe- 
tite; I cured myself by taking the butternut physic, 
which brought away several yards at a time ; and by tak- 
ing the bitter medicine, to correct the bile, was never 
troubled with it again. 

I have often heard about people having a greedy-worm; 
but this is a mistaken notion, for there was never any 
such thing. The difficulty is the stomach being cold and 
disordered, so that the food is not properly digested, 
passes off without nourishing the system, and this creates 
an unnatural appetite. Remove the cause by warming 
the stomach and correcting the digestive powers, and 
there will be no farther difficulty. In the year 1805, I 
was called to see a young woman who it was supposed 
had a greedy-worm. It was thought to be very large, 
and would frequently get into her throat and choke her, 
almost stopping her breath. Her mother told me that the 
day before, one of the neighbors was in, and told a story 
about a person having a monster in their stomach, which 
was taken in by drinking at a brook. This terrible ac- 
count so frightened her daughter, that the worm rose into 
her throat, and choked her so bad that she had fits. I 
took the girl home with me, and gave her a dose of hot 



120 JWqp Guide to Health; 

bitters, with some of the nerve powder that night; the 
next morning I carried her through a course of the med- 
icine, as well as I knew at that time, which cleared the 
stomach and howels, and strengthened the nervous sys- 
tem. I told her there was no worm that troubled her, 
and she had faith in what I said. I gave her medicine to 
correct the bile and restore the digesture, and she soon 
got well, being no more troubled about the worm. The 
difficulty was caused by a disordered stomach, and want 
of digesture, which produced spasms in the stomach and 
throat. 



Consumption. 

This complaint is generally caused by some acute dis- 
order not being removed, and the patient being run down 
by the fashionable practice, until naiure makes a com- 
promise with disease, and the house becomes divided 
against itself. There is a constant warfare kept up be- 
tween the inward heat and cold, the flesh wastes away in 
consequence of not digesting the food, the canker be- 
comes seated on the stomach and bowels, and then takes 
hold of the lungs. When they get into this situation, it 
is called a seated consumption, and is pronounced by the 
doctors to be incurable. I have had a great many cases 
of this kind, and have in all of them, where there was 
life enough left to build upon, been able to effect a cure 
by my system of practice. The most important thing is 
to raise the inward heat, and get a perspiration, clear the 
system of canker, and restore the digestive powers, so that 
food will nourish the body and keep up that heat on which 
life depends. This must be done by the regular course 
of medicine, as has been directed in all violent attacks 
of disease, and persevering in it till the cause is removed. 
This complaint is called by the doctors a hectic fever, 
because they are subject to cold chills, and hot flashes on 
the surface; but this is an error, for there is no fever 
about it; and this is the greatest difficulty; if there were 
a fever, it would have a crisis, and nature would be able 
to drive out the cold and effect a cure; the only difficulty 
is to raise a fever, which must be done by such medi- 
cine as will raise and hold the inward heat till nature 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 121 

has the complete command. When patients are very 
weak and low, they will have what is called cold sweats ; 
the cause of this is noi understood; the water that col- 
lects on the skin does not come through the pores, but is 
attracted from the air in the room, which is warmer than 
the body, and condenses on the surface; the same may 
be seen on the outside of a mug or tumbler, on a hot 
day when filled with cold water, which is from the same 
cause. It is of more importance to attend to the pre- 
venting of this complaint, than to cure it. If people 
would make use of those means which I have recom- 
mended, and cure themselves of disease, in its first stag- 
es, and avoid all poisonous drugs, there would never be 
a case of consumption, or any other chronic disorder. 



Fits. 

These are produced by the same cause as other com- 
plaints, that is, cold and obstructions; and may be cured 
by a regular course of the medicine, which overpowers 
the cold, promotes perspiration, and restores the diges- 
tive powers. Poison, or any thing else, which gives the 
cold power over the inward heat, will cause fits, because 
the natural tone of the muscular power is thereby de- 
stroyed, which produces violent spasms on the whole sys- 
tem. So much has already been said on this subject, 
that it is unnecessary to say more, to give a correct idea 
of the manner of cure. 



St. Anthony's Fire, Nettle Spring, or Surfeit. 

These are all caused by overheating the system and 
cooling too suddenly, which leaves the pores obstructed, 
and then by taking more cold, will bring on the warfare 
between cold and heat, when they break out and itch 
and smart, as if stung by an insect. When the heat 
gets a little the upper hand, so as to produce perspiration, 
it will disappear till they get another cold. The only 
way to effect a cure is to give the hot medicine, and steam 
till they are brought to the same state of heat as that 
which first caused the disease, and then cool by degrees, 
11 



1£2 New Guide to Health; i 

This I have proved in several instances, and never had 
any difficulty in entirely removing the cause in this way. 
Make use of a tea of No. 3, for canker, and the bitters to 
correct the bile, and a little nerve powder to quiet the 
nerves, and they will soon be restored to perfect health. 



Strangury, or Gravel. 

This disorder is often caused by hard labor, and ex- 
posure to cold, in the early part of life; and when they 
grow old their heat diminishes, the bile becomes thick, 
and a sediment collects in the bladder, which obstructs 
the passages 5 the glands through which the urine passes 
are clogged and become diseased, so that there is a 
difficulty in voiding the water, which causes great pain. 
It is seldom that there is a cure in such cases; but re- 
lief may be obtained, by a course of the medicine, and 
making free use of the poplar bark tea. A tea of the 
hemlock boughs is very good; and also I have known 
great relief from using the wild lettuce and pipsisway, 
the tops and roots bruised and steeped in hot water. 
Many other articles that are good to promote the urine 
may be used to advantage. 



Dropsy. 

There are two kinds of this complaint; one is caused 
by losing the inward heat so as to stop the natural per- 
spiration, which causes the water that is usually thrown 
off in this way, to collect in the body and limbs. This 
may be cured by raising the internal heat and causing 
a profuse perspiration, when the water will pass off in a 
natural way ; then make use of such medicine as will 
remove canker and restore the digestive powers, when 
the food being digested will keep up the natural heat 
of the body and continue the perspiration. The other 
kind is caused by cold and obstruction; but instead of 
the water collecting and remaining in the body and 
limbs, a leak forms in the glands and lets it into the 
trunk of the body, where there is no vent to let it off. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 123 

This cannot be cured without tapping, and is very sel- 
dom completely cured. I have never known but two 
who were in this situation to be perfectly restored. One 
was a girl whom I attended; I tapped her and took away 
seventeen pounds of water; then swathed her up close, 
and gave medicine to keep a perspiration; she did not 
fill again, and was completely cured. The other was a 
man, he had been tapped twice. I carried him through 
the course of medicine several times, and gave the juni- 
per ashes, with molasses and gin, which carried off large 
quantities of water, and he entirely recovered from the 
disorder. I have cured a number, who had the first 
mentioned complaint, by the common course of medi- 
cine; one woman was cured by taking the wild lettuce, 
bruised and steeped in hot water. Mention has been 
made of several cases of this disease, in my narrative, 
which were cured; and enough has been said to give an 
idea of the cause, and manner of treatment. 



Bilious Cholic. 

The name of this complaint is erroneous; for bilious 
means the bile, and no one ever heard of a bile cholic, 
or pain caused by gall, as it is a friend to health, and 
never caused disease or death. This pain is caused by a 
disordered stomach and want of digesture; the stomach 
is rilled with canker, which gets into the narrow passage 
from the stomach, when the action of the bowels ceases; 
after the pain subsides, those parts where it was, are 
very sore. To cure it, raise the inward heat, by giving 
the hot medicine, remove the canker with No. 3, and 
give the bitters to correct the bile, and repeat it, till a 
cure is effected. If the case is bad, carry them through 
a course of the medicine, and often give injections. 



Pleurisy. 

This is a distressing complaint, and is caused by cold, 
or want of inward heat; I never had any difficulty in 
curing it by my common practice. The only remedy 
made use of by the doctors, is to bleed; this only in- 



124 New Guide to Health; 

creases the disease, by reducing the strength of the pa- 
tient, without removing the cause. I was once called to 
a soldier at Eastport, who had a violent pain in his side>; 
the doctor that attended him, had bled him five times, 
without removing the pain, which made him so weak, 
that it was with difficulty he could be held up in the bed. 
I relieved him in one hour, by a common course of med- 
icine, and bathing his side with the rheumatic drops. It 
took three weeks to get up his strength, which might 
have been done in three days, if he had not been bled. 
I was called to another case of the kind, of a soldier, at 
the same place. He had been bled, and a large blister 
put on his side to remove the pain, which caused a stran- 
gury, and he was in great distress. I declined doing 
any thing for him without the consent of the command- 
ing officer, who was not present. The soldier begged of 
me to tell him what to do for the latter complaint, as he 
could not live so. I told him to take off the blister, which 
was immediately done, and it gave instant relief. By 
carrying them through a course of medicine, as has been 
directed for other violent attacks, it will cure all cases of 
this complaint without danger; and it is much better than 
bleeding, or blisters, which only increases the difficulty, 



Re lax. 

This complaint is caused by indigestion, or loss of 
the powers of the gall, which becomes thick, in conse- 
quence of cold, or loss of inward heat, when the stomach 
will be sour. The best remedy is, to give No. 2, which 
will thin the gall; cleanse the stomach with No. 1, and 
give the bitters to correct the digesture. A dose of the 
composition powders, with a tea-spoonful of No. 6, in it, 
will in most cases effect a cure. The bayberry and pop- 
lar bark is good, and also many other articles that have 
been described as good to restore the digestive powers. 



Dysentery. 

This is a distressing complaint, and is very common, 
especially among children; although much has already 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 125 

been sard on this subject; yet its importance will justify 
some further directions. It is caused by cold, which 
gets the ascendancy over the inward heat, so as to draw 
all the determining powers inward; the stomach is dis- 
ordered, the digestive powers are lost, the bowels be- 
come coated with canker, the food is not digested so as 
to afford any nourishment or heat to the system, and all 
the juices flow, inward, and pass off by the common pas- 
sage. The canker makes the bowels very sore, and 
when any thing passes them ; it causes excruciating pain. 
The best plan of treatment is, to carry the patient through 
a regular course of medicine, and repeat it, if occasion 
should require, every day till relief is obtained. During 
the operation, give the chicken broth, and after the dis- 
ease is checked, give occasionally a little brandy and 
loaf sugar burned together, and a strong tea of poplar 
bark. Give the syrup, No. 5, two or three times a day, 
until entirely recovered; and the bitters, No. 4, may be 
given night and morning, to restore the digesture. Care 
must be taken to keep up the inward heat in the interim, 
by giving occasionally, No. 2. in a tea of No. 3, sweet- 
ened. Steaming is very important in this complaint, and 
injections must often be administered. 



Rheumatism. 

This complaint is caused by cold obstructing the na- 
tural circulation, which causes pain and swelling. It 
often affects the joints, so that they grow out of shape. 
A cure is easily effected, if timely and properly attended 
to, which must be done by such medicine as will cause 
perspiration and remove obstructions. In common cases,, 
by taking the rheumatic drops, and bathing the part af- 
fected, with the same, will remove the complaint. When 
the case is bad, carry them through a course of the med- 
icine, and bathe with the drops, repeating it as occasion 
may require, till cured. At the same time, give a tea of 
poplar bark or hemlock boughs; and many other articles 
which have been described as good for this complaint, 
may also be made use of to advantage, 
11 * 



126 New Guide to Health; 

The gout is from the same cause, arid the stomacK 
being greatly disordered, and very sour, which produces 
a burning sensation. I have cured several cases by the 
common course of medicine, and giving the bitters to 
restore the digestive powers. 

Sore Lips. 

They are common in very hot or cold weather, when 
there is nearly a balance of the power of outward and in- 
ward heat, or outward and inward cold, which produces 
canker. To cure it, take a strong dose of a tea of No. 
3. with a tea-spoonful of No. 2. in it, when going to bed, 
and wash them with the same, then wipe them dry to take 
off the matter collected; then wet them again with the 
tea, and put on as much ginger as will stick, repeat the 
same again for two or three times, till the coat is suffi- 
cient to keep out the air; when this comes off, repeat 
the same process again, until the soreness is gone, then 
wash again with the tea, and wipe them dry, and apply 
warm tallow till a cure is completed. 

Sore Eyes. 

This is generally caused by being exposed to sudden 
changes of heat and cold, which produces canker; and 
where this is, there will be inflammation. There are 
many things good for this complaint; but the best that I 
have found, is white pond lily root, marshrosemary, witch 
hazle, and red raspberry leaves; make a strong tea with 
all or either, and add one third as much of No. 6, with a 
little of No. 2; bathe the eyes several times in a day; 
every morning put your face in cold water, open and shut 
the eyes till well washed; repeat this till a cure is effect- 
ed. At the same time, take the tea to clear the system 
of canker. 

Headache. 

This pain proceeds from a foul stomach, the bile loses 
its powers, the food clogs, by not being digested, and the 
effect is felt in the head, which is the fountain of sense. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 127 

Sometimes there is sickness at the stomach; when this 
happens, it is called sick headache, and when they vomit, 
the head is relieved. This proves that the cause is in 
the stomach. It must be cured by cleansing the stomach 
and restoring the digestive powers. A dose of composi- 
tion powders, sitting by the fire wrapped in a blanket, 
will generally give relief; but if it should not, take a 
dose of No. 1, in a tea of No. 3., and take the bitters to 
correct the bile ; No. 2 should also be taken, to warm the 
stomach, and if it is sour, take the pearlash water. It is 
very fashionable with the doctors, to tell about dropsy in 
the head, but in this I have no belief; for there is no 
disease in the head but what proceeds from the stomach, 
except from external injury. If they understood the real 
cause, and would give the proper medicine to remove it, 
there would be no difficulty in the head; but when a 
child is sick, they give calomel and other poisons, which 
increases the disease; and if they die, it is laid to the 
dropsy in the head, and this is satisfactory, because the 
doctor says so. 



Corns. 

These come on the joints of the toes, and are very 
troublesome. They may be cured by soaking the foot 
in warm water till the corn is soft; shave it thin; take a 
strip of bladder or skin of suet, eight or ten inches long, 
and half an inch wide, rub it till soft; then supple it well 
in rattle-snake's oil, or the nerve ointment; wrap it 
round the toe, and keep it on till worn out ; if this does 
not cure, repeat the same till the corn is removed. I 
have seldom known this to fail of a cure. 



Venereal. 

This disease, that is called by this name, is more com- 
mon in seaports than in the country, because there is a 
more promiscuous and illicit intercourse of the sexes, 
than in other places. It is a very high state of canker 
and putrefaction, which takes hold of the glands of those 
parts that are first affected with it; and if not checked, 



128 New Guide to Health; 

the whole system will hecome diseased by the venereal 
taint. It is more common among sea-faring men, be- 
cause of their being long absent at sea, and on coming 
on shore, they give free scope to their passions, without 
being very scrupulous about the manner of their indul- 
gence. It originates, probably, with those common 
women, who have connection with many different men, 
and going beyond the impulse of nature; this impure 
connection causes uncleanness, which produces the dis- 
ease, and when seated, is contagious. 

The reason why this disease causes so much fright 
and alarm, is owing to two causes; the first is the dis- 
grace that is attached to the dishonesty in getting it; and 
the other is the manner in which it has generally been 
treated, in giving mercury to cure it; the remedy be- 
comes worse than the disease. That this disorder can- 
not be cured by any other means, is altogether an error; 
for I have cured a number of cases by very simple means. 
The first symptoms felt, is a scalding sensation and pain 
when voiding the urine; and within twenty-four hours 
after this is experienced, it may be cured in that time, by 
applying cold water, and making use of the rheumatic 
drops; if there is much soreness, make use of the tea of 
No. 3, with the drops in it; which must be taken, as well 
as applied to the parts. If the disease has been of long 
standing, and the whole system has become affected, 
they must be carried through a course of the medicine. 
Where there has been mercury made use of, and there 
is all the attendant consequences of such treatment, it is 
much more difficult to effect a cure; and is only done by 
a full course of the medicine, and repeating it for a num- 
ber of times; raising the heat by steam, each time as 
high as they can bear, to throw out the mercury and re- 
move the canker, at the same time applying the poultice; 
then give the bitters to correct the bile. 

I had a case of a woman, who was brought to me on 
a bed, fifteen miles. She was in a very putrid state, and 
as bad as she could well be, with all the consequences 
that are caused by being filled with mercury. Different 
doctors had attended her for eleven months, and she had 
constantly been growing worse. She had been kept 
ignorant of her disease, till a few days before brought to 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 129 

me, on account of her husband. I carried her through 
five courses of the medicine, in two weeks, and applied a 
poultice of white bread and ginger, made with a tea of 
No. 3. This completely broke up the disorder, and by- 
giving medicine to correct the bile and restore the diges- 
ture, she was cured, and returned home in three weeks 
after coming to me. By taking things to restore her 
strength, has enjoyed good health ever since. Another 
woman was cured in the same manner, who had been in 
this way for six years, and unable to do any business. I 
attended her three weeks, when she was restored to 
health, and returned home. In less than a year after, 
she had two children at a birth, and has enjoyed good 
health to this day— [in 1822.] 

This disease may be produced by other means than 
what have been described. It may be taken in with the 
breath by being much exposed in attending on those 
who are in a very putrid stage of the complaint; or may 
be communicated to parts where the skin is broken, and 
in many other ways; when they will have many of the 
symptoms, the same as when taken in the common way. 
Children will sometimes be affected with the venereal 
taint, whose parents have had the disease. A disease 
similar in appearance, with much the same symptoms, 
may be brought on by overdoing and being exposed to 
the cold. I once had the case of a young married man, 
w T ho, by straining himself from loading mill logs and be- 
ing exposed to wet and cold, caused a weakness in the 
back and loins, and he had what is called a gleet, and an 
inflammation, with all the symptoms common in the ve- 
nereal. • His wife became affected in the same manner, 
and they continued in this situation three months, when 
I was called to attend them J and by making us© of such 
things as I then had a knowledge of, to strengthen the 
loins and remove the canker, was able to cure both in a 
short time. The man had all the symptoms that appear 
in the venereal except hard bunches in the groins, called 
buboes. These I am satisfied are caused by mercury, 
for I never knew any to have them except they had taken 
mercury. By syringing with mercury and sugar of lead, 
it dries the glands and contracts the passage, and stops the 
discharge, when the putrid matter instead of going off, 



130 New Guide to Health; 

collects in the, groin and forms hard tumors, which re- 
main a long time and have to be brought. to a head to let x 
off the putrid matter. Bunches of a similar kind often 
come on different parts of the body caused by mercury. 
Much more might be written on this subject, but it is 
difficult to find proper terms to convey all the directions 
that may be necessary in all cases. Enough has been 
said to give to those who are so unfortunate as to have 
the disease, a general knowledge of the nature of the 
complaint, and the best manner of effecting a cure; and 
to those who are fortunate enough to escape it, any thing 
further will be unnecessary. If the disease be of recent 
standing, let it be considered merely a case of local can- 
ker, and treated as such; but if the whole system has be- 
come tainted, and especially if mercury has been given, 
the disease is more difficult to remove, and must be treat- 
ed accordingly. 

M1DWIFERY. 

This is a very difficult subject to write upon, as I 
know of no words, that would be proper to make use of, 
to convey the necessary information to enable a person 
to attempt the practice with safety. The great impor- 
tance of the subject, however, induces me not to be si- 
lent; and I shall endeavor to make known to the public 
such thoughts and conclusions as long experience and 
much solicitude has enabled me to form, concerning those 
who are suffering and are constantly liable to suffer from 
the erroneous and most unnatural practice of the present 
day. The practice of midwifery at this time, appears to 
be altogether a matter of speculation with the medical 
faculty, by their exorbitant price for attendance. The 
tax on the poor classes is very heavy; and this is not the 
greatest grievance that they have to bear, for they are 
often deprived of their wives and children, by such ig- 
norant and unnatural practice as is very common in all 
parts of the country. 

Forty years ago, the practice of midwifery was prin- 
cipally in the hands of experienced women, who had no 
difficulty; and there was scarce an instance known in 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 131 

those days of a woman dying in child-bed, and it was 
very uncommon for them to lose the child; but at the 
present time these things are so common that it is hardly 
talked about. There must be some cause for this differ- 
ence, and I can account for it in no other way than the 
unskilful treatment they experience from the doctors, 
who have now got most of the practice into their own 
hands. In the country where I was born, and where I 
brought up a family of children, there was no such thing 
thought of as calling the assistance of a doctor; a mid- 
wife was all that was thought necessary, and the instances 
were very rare that they were not successful, for they 
used no art, but afforded such assistance as nature re- 
quired; gave herb tea to keep them in a perspiration, 
and to quiet the nerves. Their price was one dollar; 
when the doctors began to practise midwifery in the 
country, their price was three dollars, but they soon after 
raised it to five; and now they charge from twelve to 
twenty dollars. If they go on in this ratio, it will soon 
take all the people can earn, to pay for their children. 

All the valuable instruction I ever received, was from 
a woman, in the town where I lived, who had practised 
as a midwife, for twenty years; in an interview of about 
twenty minutes, she gave me more useful instruction, 
than all I ever gained from any other source. I have 
practised considerably in this line, and have always had 
very good success. It is very important to keep up the 
strength of women in a state of pregnancy, so that at 
the time of delivery, they may be in possession of all their 
natural powers; they should be carried through a course 
of the medicine several times, particularly a little before 
delivery, and keep them in a perspiration during and 
after delivery, which will prevent after pains, and other 
complaints common in such cases. Beware of bleeding, 
opium, and cold baths; invigorate all the faculties of 
the body and mind, to exert the most laborious efforts 
that nature is called upon to perform, instead of stupify- 
ing, and substituting art for nature. I will relate a case 
that I was knowing to, which will give a pretty fair view 
of the practice of the doctors. A woman was taken in 
travail, and the midwife could not come ; a doctor was 
sent for; when he came, the prospect was, that she 



132 New Guide to Health; 

would not be delivered in two hours; he gave her some 
medicine, which caused vomiting, and turned the pains 
to the stomach; she continued in this situation for twelve 
hours, when her strength was nearly gone ; he then bled 
her, and to stop the puking, gave her so much opium, as 
to cause such a stupor, that it required all the exertions 
of the women to keep the breath of life in her, through 
the night; in the morning, she remained very weak, and 
continued so till afternoon, when she was delivered with 
instruments. The child was dead, and the woman came 
very near dying, and it was six months before she got 
her strength again. Many more cases might be given of 
the bad success of bleeding, and giving opium to stupi- 
fy, and making use of art, instead of assisting nature to 
do her own work. 

I have given instruction to several who have bought 
the right, and their practice has been attended with com- 
plete success. Many men that I have given the infor- 
mation to, have since attended their own wives, and I 
have never known an instance of any bad consequences; 
and if young married men would adopt the same course, 
it would be much more proper and safe, than to trust 
their wives in the hands of young inexperienced doctors, 
who have little knowledge, except what they get from 
books, and their practice is to try experiments; their 
cruel and harsh treatment, in many instances, would in- 
duce the husband to throw them out at the window, if 
permitted to be present; but this is not allowed, for the 
very same reason. 

The following cases, and the mode of treatment, each 
of which presents something new and difficult, will pre- 
sent to view all that will be further necessary on this sub- 
ject. These will be added by way of supplement. 



TO THE THIRD EDITION. 

INTRODUCTION. 

w The Hebrew women are lively, and are delivered ere the 
midwives come in unto them." Exodus i, 19. 

As an introduction to what I have further to say on 
the subject of midwifery, the above may answer as a 
text; from which, I have only to observe, that, had this 
important branch been preserved in its simplicity, at- 
tended only by women, as it seems to have been in the 
days of the ancient Egyptians, when the Hebrews were 
slaves under Pharaoh, who ordered the midwives to kill 
all the Hebrew male children at their birth, women 
might still have been delivered with as little trouble to 
the midwives, and as little pain to themselves, as from 
the account, it appears that they were then. For, as a 
cover to their humanity, and to escape punishment from 
the king, the midwives excused themselves for not kill- 
ing the male children on account of the liveliness of the 
Hebrew women. If those women had had the doctors 
of the present day, with their pincers, Pharaoh would 
have had less cause to have issued his decree to kill the 
male children, as many might have been killed with im- 
punity, before it was known whether they were male or 
female. Has the nature of women altered, which makes 
the mode of having children so much more difficult and 
mysterious now than it was then? or is it the speculation 
of the doctors, for the sake of robbing the people of 
hventy dollars, the regular tribute here, for each child 
born? And should the child be born, fortunately for the 
mother and child both, before the arrival of the doctor, 
he even then, instead of the price of a common visit 3 
considers himself entitled to a half fee; that is, ten dol- 
12 



134 New Guide to Health; 

lars. In all this, you may see the mystery of iniquity,. 
Then dismiss the doctor; restore the business into the 
hands of women, where it belongs; and save your wife 
from much unnecessary pain, your children, perhaps, 
from death, and at all events, your money, for better pur- 
poses. Then will your children be born naturally, as 
fruit falls from the tree, when ripe, of itself. 

From this source, the doctors and their pincers, may 
be traced the miserable health of women, unable to stand 
on their feet for weeks and months, and never finally 
recover; all caused by those horrid instruments of steel, 
to extend the passage not only for the child, but for the 
instruments also. In this harsh and unnatural operation, 
they often not only crush the head of the child, but also 
the neck of the bladder. After this, there is an invol- 
untary discharge of the urine, bearing-down pains, &,c. 
insomuch that life becomes an intolerable burden without 
remedy. Can any one believe there was ever an instance 
of this kind among the Hebrew women, where midwives 
only were known, or where nature only was the midwife ? 
I think not. Is there any such thing known among the 
natives of this country, where nature is their only de- 
pendence ? History gives us an account of their squaws* 
having a papoose at night, and wade several rivers the 
next day, when driven by Christians in warfare; and by 
the simple use of taking the unicorn root, they would 
prevent themselves from taking cold. If all these views 
of the subject — what has been stated in the body of this 
work — and what is here to follow, be not satisfactory, 
neither would people be persuaded though one should 
arise from the dead. 



Further Remarks on Midwifery. 

As I am often called upon for verbal information on 
this important subject, I shall endeavor in this supple- 
ment to give some further instructions, by relating sev- 
eral important cases, and their mode of treatment, which 
have occurred since my last edition was published. 

In addition to the bad practice of the doctors, as be- 
fore related, I will state another case of which I was an 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 135 

eye-witness. My brother's wife, about thirty years old, 
was in travail with her first child. The midwife called 
on me for advice, on account of a violent flooding, which 
I immediately relieved by the hot medicine ; at the same 
time, some people present, privately sent for a doctor. 
When he came, I told him there was no difficulty, and 
all that was wanting was time. After examination, he 
said the woman had been well treated. He then took 
the command, and very soon began to use too much ex- 
ertion. He was cautioned by the midwife; but he show- 
ed temper, and said, " Why did you send for me, if you 
know best." I told him he was not sent for by our re- 
quest; we found no need of any other help. The doc- 
tor persisted in this harsh treatment for about seven hours, 
occasionally trying to put on his instruments of torture. 
This painful attempt caused the woman to shrink from 
her pains, and the child drew back. After making sev- 
eral unsuccessful attempts, got himself tired out; he ask- 
ed me to examine her situation. I did so, and told him 
that the child was not so far advanced as when he came. 
He asked me to attend her. I refused the offer; and 
told him that he pronounced the woman well treated when 
he came; but she had not been so treated since, and I 
was not liable to bear the blame. He then sent for an- 
other doctor, and let her alone till the other doctor came, 
In which time nature had done much in advancing her 
labor. The doctors were astonished at h^r strength, in 
thus holding out; and I now firmly believe that with the 
use of the medicine which had been given her, and 
which ought to have been continued, nature would have 
completed her delivery. The second doctor did but lit- 
tle more than to say, the instruments could now be put on; 
which shows how far nature had completed her work. 
The first doctor put on the instruments of death, and de- 
livered her by force ; using strength enough to have 
drawn an hundred weight! Thus the child was, as I 
should call it, murdered ; the head crushed, and the doc- 
tor put it in a tub of cold water twice; an application, 
one would have supposed, sufficient to kill it, had it been 
well!! 

The woman flooded, like the running of water, so as 
to be heard by all in the room. The doctor called for 



136 New Guide to Health; 

cold water to put on as soon as possible. I told the doc- 
tor that he need not trouble himself any further about 
the woman, I would take care of her. I gave her a 
spoonful of fine bayberry, cayenne and drops; got her 
into bed as soon as possible ; the alarming situation soon 
abated; but her senses were gone, and her nerves all in 
a state of confusion. I repeated the dose with the ad- 
dition of nerve powder. I put a hot stone, wrapped in 
cloths wet with vinegar, at her feet, and also at her back 
and bowels, until she got warm. Then her nerves be- 
came more composed. When the doctor left her, he 
said there was a doubt whether she lived over twelve 
hours. At that time she was so swollen as to stop all 
evacuations, besides other injuries she had received by 
the use of force instead of aid. The midwife used her 
best endeavors to promote a natural discharge, but in 
vain. But, when all other sources fail, then comes my 
turn. I succeeded, and saved her from mortification. 
The second day, I carried her through a course of medi- 
cine; steaming her in bed; for she was as helpless as 
though all her bones had been broken. All the way she 
could be turned was to draw her on the under sheet, and 
so turn her that way. After the second course, she be- 
gan to help herself a little. I was with her most of the 
time for five days and nights. I then left her, with medi- 
cines and directions, and she gained her health in about 
two months. I gave them directions how to proceed in 
case she should ever be in the like situation again. She 
had another child in about two years; the child lived, 
and both did well, by keeping away the doctor, as I am 
satisfied would have been the case the first time, had 
this scourge of humanity been kept away. 

I have been more particular in relating this case, than 
I otherwise should have been, had I not been an eye- 
witness to all the proceedings, and of course to all tftfe 
facts which I have stated, which I could not have be- 
lieved had I not seen them; and had it been at my own 
house, I think I should not have waited for a door, but 
have pitched the monster out at the window. Yet I 
have reason to believe that this is only a sample of the 
general practice where nature moves slowly. The argot 
or rye spur 3 which is a very improper medicine, was 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 137 

also frequently given in this case; but it ought to be 
particularly guarded against, in all cases. 



Another instance happened in the country, where the 
doctor was with a young woman in travail, who had fits. 
The doctor bled her, and took away her child dead by 
force. The woman is yet in a poor state of health. 
What could we expect otherwise, where learned men 
forbid the laws of nature to take their course, take the 
blood, "which is the life," to enable Women to go through 
with the most laborious task which nature is called on to 
perform? Consider of these things, my friends, and gov- 
ern yourselves accordingly. 



Now let me exhibit the other side of the picture. I 
was called upon to attend a young woman in child-bed, 
eighty miles in the country. I attended. She had been 
sick, and sent for help, before I arrived, and had got 
about again. About one week after, she was taken 
again, with every appearance that she would be deliver- 
ed soon. In about six hours, the pains all flatted away; 
she grew pale and dull in spirits, and the motion of the 
child had nearly ceased. She had labored" hard, and 
got cold, and had a bad cough; and the moisture of the 
glands was so thickened, that she could not spit clear of 
her mouth. I saw that there was no use in any further 
delay. On Thursday, I carried her through a thorough 
course of medicine, and steamed her twice in the course 
of the day, and then let her rest. About the same time 
she was taken the night before, to wit, about eleven o'- 
clock, her pains were regular, her animation and vigor 
returned, a fine son was born about three o'clock, she 
walked from the fire to the bed, a portion of coffee and 
cayenne was administered, and a steaming stone put to 
her feet. As soon as her perspiration was free, all after- 
pains ceased, and there were none of those alarming 
symptoms, common to learned ignorance. The second 
day she showed symptoms of a child-bed fever and brok- 
en breasts. I carried her through another course of 
medicine and steam. The fifth day she took breakfast 
12* 



138 JVeie Guide to Health; 

and dinner below with the family, and carried her child 
up stairs. The eighth day she rode out two miles, paid 
a visit and come back. On the ninth day, I carried her 
through another course of medicine, and got her so far 
cleared, that she could spit clear of her mouth for the 
first time after I saw her. On the tenth day, she rode 
the same distance; and I have no doubt that, had she 
been attended in the common way, she would have had 
the child-bed fever, broken breasts, and a poor health 
afterwards. 

This case caused much conversation. Why so? It 
was the different mode of treatment, reversing every 
mode commonly attended to. What shall we do? say 
the people, we shall never dare to employ a doctor again. 
I answer. Call the doctor, and obtain his advice; and 
then reverse every prescription given by him in a case of 
child-bed. If he tells you to have a doctor, have a mid- 
wife. If he says, "be bled," keep your blood for other 
uses. If he says, "keep yourself cold," sweat your- 
self. If he says, "put cold water on your bowels," 
take hot medicine inside, and a steaming stone at your 
feet. If he says, "take physic," use warm injections. 
If he says, " starve yourself," eat what your appetite 
craves. By strict observance of the foregoing anti-di- 
rections, you may enjoy your health, and save the heavy 
bill for the many visits of the doctor, besides saving him 
•from the trouble of keeping you sick. ' This is the mode 
of having patent babies, so highly recommended by Dr. 
Robinson, in his 12th lecture, who says, " Even in child- 
bed delivery, a matter never to be forgotten, this prac- 
tice has very nearly removed the pain and punishment 
from the daughters of Eve, threatened to our progenitor 
and entailed upon her offspring. A lady of good sense, 
and without the least coloring of imagination, said it was 
easier to have five children under the operation and in- 
fluence of this new practice, than one by the other man- 
agement and medicine. And she had had experience in 
both cases, and has been supported in the evidence by 
every one who has followed her example." 

This extract speaks volumes in favor of the treatment 
in the last named case. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 139 

The following case of midwifery I shall mention, with 
the mode of treatment, for the purpose of giving instruc- 
tion to others. 

I was called to visit a woman in Greenfield, Saratoga 
Co., N. Y., who had been in travail ten days, and her life 
despaired of. I think there was not less than ten men 
and women present, and the seal of despair was set upon 
each one's countenance. The woman, in a low voice, 
said, Ci I cannot see what can be the use of a woman's 
undergoing the distress I have for ten days, and die after 
all, as two sisters of mine have done in a similar case, 
but a short time ago." I replied, that pain and distress 
were the common lot of all mankind, and the duty of 
every one is to alleviate the miseries of others as far as 
it is in our power. She asked me if I thought I could 
help her. I assured her that I would do every thing I 
could for that purpose. There were several persons 
present who owned the right. I took out my medicine, 
and put in a tea-cup a large spoonful of composition, one 
tea-spoonful of cayenne, one of nerve powder, and one 
spoonful of sugar, filled the cup with boiling water, stir- 
red them well together, and set it down. While settling, 
I took a large tea-spoonful of brown emetic, and having 
poured oft' the tea into another cup, stirred in the pow- 
der, and handed it to the woman, who swallowed it, ap- 
parently with all possible faith that it would help her. I 
called for assistance, to regulate the bed and other things, 
which were in disorder about the room, as soon as possi- 
ble. Every attention was paid, the medicine roused the 
efforts of nature, so that the woman was in readiness be- 
.fore we were. This called all to her assistance; the de- 
sired object was obtained in less than fifteen minutes af- 
ter taking this friend of nature; a fine son was born 
alive, and the woman comfortable and able with steady- 
ing, to walk from the fire to the bed, to the great joy of 
all present. The gloomy veil of despair was raised from 
the countenance of all, and they heartily partook of the 
joy and thankfulness of the woman and family; insomuch 
that some of the women present, declared that they would 
never have any other children but patent ones hereafter. 



140 New Guide to Health; 

One of my agents, Joseph Mitchell, went with me; 
and we returned in the space of two hours, in a violent 
snow storm. He declared that that expedition was worth 
one hundred dollars to the society. The next day, the 
husband came, and purchased the right, with instruction 
on the branch of midwifery; and has attended his wife 
twice since, with unusual success. One of my agents 
says he has frequently heard the woman relate the fore- 
going case; but never without shedding tears, 



Case of Midivifery , in Columbus, Ohio. 

This woman I agreed to be with when confined, which 
was expected in about three weeks. I went to see my 
son, about 130 miles. While there, I fell and broke two 
of my ribs. I had a violent cough, and almost lost my 
life. I did not return short of about six weeks, and then 
in a very poor state of health. I arrived at the house 
about eleven o'clock at night. The woman was then in 
travail. She said she had waited for me three weeks. 
The midwife said the waters had been discharged three 
days, and the woman was in a low and lingering state, 
often wishing for me. I went to bed that night, but 
did not sleep much, on account of the distress of the 
woman, and noise of the moving in the house. I was 
solicited about noon the next day, by the husband and 
wife, her father and mother, my agent and his wife, with 
an earnest desire to attend the woman, as her mind was 
set on my attention. I reluctantly consented, as I was 
weak in body and mind, and hardly able to undergo the 
anxiety and responsibility of so difficult a case. I how- 
ever agreed to do the best I could. I prepared a dose 
similar to that mentioned in the foregoing case. It was 
given. It soon had the desired effect, by rousing the 
system to action. I delivered her in about half an hour. 
But the child was apparently dead. I took the placenta 
or after-birth, with the child; the grandmother being 
seated in the corner, she placed the after-birth on a bed 
of embers, while rubbing the child ; and as soon as the 
substance on the coals had gained warmth enough to fill 
the umbilical cord with warmth and moisture, it was 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 141 

stripped towards the body of the child, and so continued 
until a sufficient degree of warmth through this medium 
was conveyed into the body of the child, as to expand the 
lungs, which was effected in about fifteen or twenty min- 
utes; then the string was separated in usual form. 

I relate this case for the information of those who may 
not have studied the principle of heat's giving life, as is 
manifest in the present case. There was no other possi- 
ble, way of communicating heat to the vitals, except 
through that channel or stem which had supported the 
growth of the child to that time, the same as any vegeta- 
ble fruit is supported from the vine or tree by the stem. 
If the vine be cut off, or pulled up, the fruit will wither 
and die. Now what was the cause of the death of this 
child? Recollect the first part of this statement. The 
water had been discharged three days. All that time 
the child had been starving, the same as the fruit loses 
its support when the vine is cut. But by raising artifi- 
cial heat, through the placenta and umbilical cord, by 
putting the former on the embers, and conveying the 
heat to the body of the child through the medium of the 
latter, it gave the child one more meal, which roused it 
into action, and which was to last till the next means 
nature has provided, can be obtained. Before the child 
is born, it is supported by this stem from the mother in- 
ternally; after birth, from the breast of the mother ex- 
ternally. This food supports the child, till he can eat 
more solid food, and thus no longer need the breast. 

Now the attention of the mother, 

May be employed to have another; 

And so go on with all the rest. 

Your house be filled with children bl&ss'd. 



Case of a False Conception. 

About two years ago, I was called on by one of my 
agents at Eastport, Me. who appeared to be much alarm- 
ed, and requested me to go with him to visit a woman 
with whom he had been all night, and could give her no 
relief. She had flowed so much, that she lay fainted 
away more than half the time, and then, the rest part 



142 New Guide to Health; 

of the time, she was puking. I asked him if she was 
in a pregnant state. He thought not. I answered, I 
thought it must be the case. I went with him; and, on 
the way, asked him if he had given her an emetic ? He 
had not. If he had used an injection? No, he did not 
think it would answer. Not answer! What is your 
medicine good for, if it is not a friend in the most alarm- 
ing case ? When entering the house, the man said, "My 
wife has been fainted away more than half the time since 
you left, and the rest of the time she has been puking." 
I directed my agent to go after his syringe. The first 
thing I could find warm was some wormwood tea. I 
took some in a cup, and added some cayenne, nerve 
powder, and emetic herb, sweetened, as heretofore di- 
rected. She took it. I then steeped one pint of coffee, 
and had time to give her about one glass, with a requi- 
site portion of the same articles as before, when the 
syringe arrived. I then prepared about a gill of this 
liquid, and added the same proportion of the articles 
taken, and charged the syringe with it, and ordered the 
nurse to administer it. I, with my agent, left the room 
for the space of about ten minutes, when we were called 
in, and found the nurse much surprised at the discharge. 
The like was never seen by any one present. The ap- 
pearance was like a hog's heart secured in a membrane. 
The people were at a loss what to call it. My agent 
was of opinion that there was some human shape in it. 
I said, no. To satisfy himself, he opened it with his 
knife, and found it solid flesh. I told them it was a 
false conception, and void of human shape. I then re- 
peated the dose as before given, and repeated the injec- 
tion in usual form, which cleared her of all disorder, and 
set nature at liberty. All flowing, puking, and fainting, 
ceased from the first application I made. The woman 
soon got well, and in less than one year, had a fine son, 
and her health remains good. Many thanks were given 
me by the family, believing, as they said, that what I 
administered to the woman, together with what I pre- 
scribed, had saved her life. 

I shall close this subject with a few brief remarks. 

The foregoing cases I have described for the purpose 
of showing the difference between forcing nature, and 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 143 

aiding and assisting her. They are two theories, di- 
rectly opposed to each other, and can never harmonize 
together. As soon as learned ignorance begins to use 
force to extend the passage, the child ceases from its 
natural progression and draws back; as nature shrinks 
from all such operations, and force must then do the 
whole; and if the child should be caught by such force, 
as the dog catches his game, it will be likely to share 
the same fate, as in the case first mentioned. I shall 
not follow up the simile, by comparing the doctor to a 
dog, though it might be made a very striking one. Is 
not this the cause of many women lingering out a mis- 
erable existence in pain and torment, and are often heard 
to say, " I have never been well since my last child was 
born. I was in the hands of the doctor three days, and 
at last was delivered with instruments. I did not stand 
on my feet for six weeks, and have never regained my 
health." Yet the doctor is looked upon as her benefac- 
tor, and is thanked for saving her life. Query. Were 
these evil consequences ever known were nature did 
her own work, and the child born before the doctor could 
get there ? In all my practice, I never knew an instance 
where the woman could not bear her weight upon her 
feet the same day. Nor have I ever heard of a single 
instance where nature had been assisted according to 
my practice by others, where the patient was not able to 
bear her weight on her feet the same day of her delivery. 
As to the cause of the difference between those attend- 
ed according to nature, and those attended secundum 
€irtem, according to art, I shall leave the reader to de- 
cide for himself. 

Another evil in this branch, which I shall mention 
here, and of which women have generally either felt or 
heard, is that of taking the after-birth by force. The 
doctor says, " It has grown fast to the side;" and tears 
it off, so as to be heard by those present. Alarming, if 
not fatal consequences are the result. The question is, 
what other way can be done ? Answer. The same as 
in taking the child. Assist nature, instead of forcing it. 
The only rule given by me, to those who wish to attend 
their own wives, or others, is simply this. After the 
string is separated from the child, be careful not to lose 



144 New Guide to Health; 

it, by letting it draw back, as this is the only sure guide 
to the placenta. Take the string between the thumb 
and finger of the left hand, drawing it straight, while 
having the same between the thumb and finger of the 
right hand, slipping it forward until you find the solid 
part to which the string is attached. Take a steady 
pull when the pain is on. After a few seconds, it will 
begin to give way, turning inside out as turning the 
lining to the sleeve of a coat. But if it stick fast, take 
care not to break the string, as if you do, you lose your 
guide. Keep the woman well fed with hot medicine, to 
prevent flooding. Then carry her through a course of 
medicine; and when the system is slackened, it will 
often come of itself. I would prefer having it remain 
till it discharges itself, according to nature, as it certain- 
ly will in time, than to betaken away by force, as I have 
seen done. The danger is far less. But I never knew 
a case of the kind where the woman had been sufficient- 
ly cleared by the medicine near the time of her delivery. 
I knew one instance, where the woman had been treat- 
ed by force in this way, that she had been so injured that 
all her urine run away as fast as it collected. The doc- 
tors had so injured her, that they declared she would 
never live to have another child. But they were mistak- 
en. The next one she was attended by my direction, 
and carried through, I think, thirteen courses of medi- 
cine before delivery. * I attended her. She was sick but 
about two hours; was delivered and cleared without any 
difficulty, and both she and her child did well. 

There are as great errors committed in using force for 
the after-birth, as for the child. The inflammation caus- 
ed by using force in taking the child, causes the obstruc- 
tion in taking the after-birth. When learned ignorant 
pretenders, who know nothing about following the um- 
bilical cord for their guide, proceed inward, where they 
have no business, they often commit irreparable injury, 
and instead of taking the after-birth, they injure the 
womb, sometimes by turning it wrong side out, which 
causes distressing bearing-down pains, and thus the 
woman must linger out a miserable existence until death 
comes as a welcome friend to relieve her. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 145 

Thus, kind reader, I have given you the most impor- 
tant particulars I now think of, and as to any further 
directions, I can do no better than to refer you to the 
General Directions, as laid down in this book; and it 
is my opinion that you are better off with your own 
judgment and this book, than with all the scientific ig- 
norance, called knowledge, as taught in the schools, 
without it. Hence my advice to you is, dismiss all doc- 
tors of law, physic and divinity. Pray for your own 
soul, if you know what it is, doctor your own body, and 
make your own will. By so doing, you will save your 
share of the greatest tax ever imposed on mankind. 



Outlines of Treatment in the hour of Travail. 

To point out a regular rule or form for every woman, 
would be out of my power, as they are restless, shifting 
their position in every form and manner, to find a place 
of rest, which is as difficult as that of Noah's dove. 
When they become so far advanced that they cannot 
satisfy themselves any longer in their own way, then you 
may assist, them in the best manner to help themselves, 
and to enable others to help them, by assisting nature to 
do her own work. 

The seat is prepared in different ways, according to 
their fancy. Those who have had children ought to be 
the best judge how to aid and assist them in this partic- 
ular. I shall only give advice how to proceed in some 
alarming and difficult cases, to be handed down for the 
benefit of generations jQt unborn, as none can be ob- 
tained from the progress of the learned, for four thousand 
years. And if any beneficial information shall now be 
©btained, it must be from the illiterate, who have studied 
nature rather than books. I have no authors, dictiona- 
ries or concordance, to assist my feeble efforts in arriv- 
ing at a correct judgment. Necessity and experience are 
the only sources of my knowledge, from which I draw 
all my lessons. 

Among the most desparate cases, is the flowing of fe- 
males; pregnant or not, the treatment is the same. If 
it happens before delivery, give a portion of composition 
13 



14$ New Guide to Health; 

with more cayenne, and hot water sweetened; or some 
drops, cayenne and snuff, or fine bayberry, as substitutes. 
If after delivery, the same. When the woman grows 
weary and worn out, and pains begin to die away, give 
a portion of the third preparation, in some composition 
and nerve powder. This will compose the system so as 
to rest or reinforce nature, and hasten delivery. It is 
of great service, when the pains are lingering, at the 
time of giving the above named medicine, to use an in- 
jection, in common form, made of the same compound. 
This will hasten or delay delivery, as nature requires. 

Remark..... About the time of delivery apply a cloth of 
several thicknesses wet with hot water, to slack the mus- 
cles; repeat it occasionally, and keep it hot till nature is 
ready to perform her work. 

I attended one woman in this city, with her first child. 
Her strength failed; her pains slacked; I gave her a 
table-spoonful of the liquid of the third preparation; 
wrapped her warm, which caused her to vomit once, and 
raised a perspiration; she fell asleep, and in this situa- 
tion rested four hours, when the head of the child was 
so far advanced, as to have been visible. She awoke, 
her travail re-commenced with reinforced vigor. She 
was delivered rather in a cold state; she flowed badly; 
I gave her some No. 2, and drops, with a little fine bay- 
berry, which had the desired effect. She walked from 
the fire to the bed, and did well. 

There is another distressing complaint incident to fe- 
males, worse than having children; and often no relief 
from the doctors. I have seen women in as great agony 
with false pains, as at the delivery of a child. A strong 
tea of witch-hazle leaves and nerve powder, and a little 
cayenne, strained, used by injection either way, or both, 
I have seen relieve like throwing water on the fire. The 
disorder is canker, and must be met with its antidote 
where it is. 

These few remarks, together with the foregoing cases, 
will be sufficient information on this subject. In con- 
clusion, I would ask, can we attach sufficient value on 
a medicine that will give rest to a weary patient in tra- 
vail, and restore the nerves and muscles to a giant-like 
strength, as refreshed by wine, and continue the strength 



or, Botanic Family Plujsician. 147 

until delivery is completed; and at the same time guard 
against all those alarming complaints, which too often 
follow afterwards? A medicine to which you may re- 
sort with perfect confidence, in times of the greatest per- 
il, that, if anything can, it will save your wife and child, 
and the fee of twenty dollars from the. doctor. This is 
the regular fee in cities, though it is less in the country* 



Supplement to the Venereal Seepage 130. 

There are four diseases, or rather four names of dis- 
ease, which are often made fatal, in consequence of the 
name. 1. Venereal. 2. Hydrophobia. 3. Small-Pox. 
4. Erysipelas. As the remedy is laid down in the Med- 
ical Pocket Book, the name is doctored instead of the 
disease. If a child has a sore ear, and it runs a yellow 

Water, il will Sproarl like fire, as often seen on a pot; 
and it will inoculate wh^re it touches. While on the 
child's ear, women call it a canker sore^ and there is 
nothing alarming lander this name. Any old woman can 
cure it. But take the same infection from the ear, and 
inoculate with it, in that part of the body where venereal 
is seated, and call it venereal, the consequence is the 
same; and by the same mercurial treatment, there would 
be all the alarming consequences as though the disorder 
was generated in any other way. Yea, if the patient 
was well, with the same administration of mercury, in the 
same way, and to the same extent, the buboes and shank- 
ers would often make their appearance in the same man- 
ner without the supposed disease, as with. They doctor 
the name instead of the disorder. The patient, there- 
fore, as often loses his life by the mercury, as by the 
supposed disease. 

Equally so in hydrophobia, by taking mercury, the 
remedy becomes worse than the disease. 

In either of the above cases, the disorder is far easier 
cured by a regular course of medicine, than the poison 
given for it; as the mercury is harder to eradicate from 
the system, than all the natural disease incident to 
mankind. 



148 New Guide to Health; 

Supplement to Small Pox Seepage 113. 

Since my last edition was published, the Small Fox 
has been thoroughly attended to, and the general rule, 
as there laid down, found to answer every purpose, and 
produce the desired effect. To bring out the Small Pox, 
as in the measles and other similar disorders, be careful 
not to have too much outward heat while the pock is 
filling. I visited a family in Cincinnati, last winter, who 
had the Small Pox, and who had had the Kine Pox pre- 
vious. The appearance of the pustules were more like 
poison or measles than those of the Small Pox. When 
it turned, it began to flat, instead of drying off; and when 
it had flatted down to the vitals, it turned in, and one died, 
and the other it left in a miserable state of health; the 
pits hard and blue, like other poison sores; and I am of 
opinion that more people die in consequence of having 
the Kine Pox, than would die, let the Small Pox have its 
natural run. Because the nature of the JSinall Pox, when 
taken the natural way. is to clear the system from every 
other putrefaction, which, on the turn, scabs off with it. 
Not so in the Kine Pox. The infection partakes of every 
disorder of the persons from whom it was taken; itch, 
venereal, cancer humors, or worse than all the rest, mer- 
curial taint given by the doctor. When part, or all of 
these diseases are inoculated into a healthy person, and 
has no way to discharge itself from the system, it creates 
worse disease than the Small Pox. I knew a man in 
Portsmouth, N. H., who was inoculated with the Kine 
Pox. the infection taken from a man who had a cancer 
humor. He was a healthy man when inoculated. I saw 
him within two years, and it was judged that he had more 
than half a peck of cancers on different parts of the body 
and limbs. He imputed it entirely to this inoculation; 
and highly disapproved of the Kine Pox. He died in 
the most distressed condition. 



iCpAll people who have been attended by Patent 
Doctors, are cautioned against putting themselves under 
regular doctors, as the cases have generally proved fatal 
to the patient, and the blame palmed on the Patent Doc- 
tor; some after two weeks in their care. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 149 

Why do old people die more ma warm and rainy winter 
than in a severe cold one? 
The answer to the above question is at hand. Old 
people are like the old house which they built in their 
younger days. The house decays about as fast as its 
builder, and becomes racked with wind and storms 
which have beaten upon it until the cracks open, the 
shingles blow off, and the house grows leaky and cold. 
So is the man in his old age. He becomes racked with 
the storms and hardships of life; his heat goes out, the 
fire-place decays, his food digests poorly and gives but 
little nourishment or heat to warm the body and expand 
the lungs. For the inward heat rarifies the air in the 
lungs, and causes them to expand, by lightening the air 
within, and the weight of the surrounding atmosphere, 
being higher charged with oxygen or water, puts out the 
fire faster than dry cold air; and as the heat decays in- 
ward, the weight of the air crowds heavily on the lungs, 
and causes great difficulty in breathing; the lungs la- 
bor like the wheel of a mill in back water, the foun- 
tain almost level with the stream, until the heat in the 
lungs becomes insufficient to expand them any longer; 
the weight of the air comes to an equilibrium of weight in- 
side, and all motion ceases. The water in the air has put 
out the fire. This is the cause why thos^e people who have 
but little fire in the body, and such a weight of damp air out- 
side, the heat is so soon extinguished inside ; like a person 
falling into the water; the cause of death is, the water 
has put out the fire; and when the air is full of water, it 
puts out the fire in the same proportion. Thus I think 
I have given a satisfactory cause of death upon natural 
principles. The cause and effect are in themselves. 

In this case, I would ask the Christian, of every de- 
nomination, what power, here, either gave or took away 
life ? Was there any power in the case abstract from the 
cause here given ? Or what soul or spirit went out at death, 
except heat, which is the cause of life and breath? 

Hoiu Doctors shorten the lives of their Patients. 
That the practice of the regular doctors, as they are 
termed, shortens the lives of their patients, is a truth of 
13* 



150 New Guide to Health; 

which I have not the shadow of a doubt; and the cause, 
to me, is obvious. The cold poisons which they admin- 
ister, have the effect of chilling the stomach and killing 
the digestive organs; so tha.t the food does not raise more 
than half the heat it did in a natural state, before those 
poisons had been administered. Then the bleeding and 
blistering lessens the remainder so as to reduce the heat 
to the capacity of old age. It is the same thing, no mat- 
ter what age, from one hour old to an hundred years. 
When the heat is so far exhausted that the air is not suf- 
ficiently lightened by the heat as to expand the adjoin- 
ing air, the pressure becomes equalled, external and in- 
ternal, the same as in the case of a drowned person. 
There is no difference as to age, sex, or other condition, 
so far as the practice is concerned ; and so far as that 
goes to lessen the heat by bleeding, by fever powders, 
or by poison; all tend to lessen inward heat, and to di- 
minish life in the same proportion; and when it is en- 
tirely extinguished, death follows as a natural conse- 
quence; and from the same cause; loss of heat, what- 
ever it may be that puts out the fire. The putting out 
of the fire, or extinguishing inward or vital heat, is the 
cause of death. 

All practitioners, therefore, may by this rule either 
condemn or justify themselves by looking back on their 
former practice, and asking themselves the question, 
" Have I cultivated the heat of my patients, to prolong 
their lives; or have I extinguished their heat, and there- 
by killed or destroyed them?" Is not this question fully 
answered? Do we not see that the lives of human be- 
ings are daily sacrificed, at all ages, from birth to death? 
Who, I would ask, is authorized to say, in such a case, 
that any mysterious Providence is concerned in the death 
of our friends, when they are destroyed in this manner? 

In every thing that breathes, the breathing is from the 
same cause. Without heat, there is no breathing. But 
when heat is continually generated or evolved in a con- 
fined room, excepting at one avenue, as in the lungs, 
there must be breathing, or what is the same, an inhal- 
ing of cold air, and an exhaling of oxygen, or vapor 
from it. Every animal body has its lamp, in proportion 
to its bigness; and its continuing to burn, is much owing 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 151 

to the one who trims or takes care of the lamp. If it be 
replenished with water instead of oil, and with an icicle 
for a wick, it is like the method in which the doctors 
trim the lamps of their patients. Taking out the blood, 
is like pouring out the oil; and the cold poison is as the 
icicle for a wick. The effect soon follows, which is cold 
and darkness. Can we doubt this being the fact at the 
present time ? Do we not often see the head of a family 
suddenly made cold by his lamp being put out; and three 
or four children taken from one house, all having their 
lamps blown oix? Can any one suppose that had their 
lamps been trimmed with good oil, and good wicks, but 
that they would have continued burning as long as the 
body of the lamp remained whole ? But if we continue 
not to be our own guards and sentinels, but employ arti- 
ficial and learned fools to watch over us, and save our 
oil for their own use, and trim our lamps with water and 
ice, Ave cannot wonder at seeing our wives and children 
u dashed in pieces like the potter's vessel." When we 
employ seamen to drive our coach of life, instead of 
horsemen; and as long as custom, superstition, error 
and bigotry, are the ruling principles of the world, we 
never can expect to live, while all the oil in our lamps 
is consumed; but to be blown out by the breath of ig- 
norance, if nothing worse, as mankind have been in all 
ages where the poisonous breath of the Bohon Upas over- 
takes them. 



The learneM have added nothing to the healing art; 
but they have done much in taking the knowledge of the 
simple remedies from the people. They have substitut- 
ed the poisonous minerals which have multiplied the forms 
of disease, and thereby added to our bills of mortality. 
They have taken midwifery from the tender hands of 
women, and substituted the torturing instruments of steel, 
whereby not only children, but even women have been 
sacrificed. In relation to such practice, Robinson says, 
Lee. viii. p. 103, " It is, in truth, like running the gaunt- 
let among armed Indians, or red hot plough-shares, to 
escape from the poisons of medical practice." 



152 New Guide to Health; 

SEAMEN'S DIRECTIONS. 

After purchasing the right, and having a sample of 
Medicine numbered, these Directions are the first les- 
sons learned, as it gives a short and concise view of the 
system and practice. In the first stages of disease, one gill 
of a tea of No. 3, may be used simple, with or without 
sugar. In more violent attacks, use from half to a tea- 
spoonful of No. 2; let the patient be covered with a 
blanket, by the fire or in bed; apply a hot stone to the 
feet; if this does not relieve them, add the emetic, No. 1, * 
and nerve powder, and go through .a course of medicine. 
In all cases where the glands are dry, and much fever, 
the emetic should be used without spirit; the bitters also 
are best taken in hot water sweetened than with spirit. 
The objection to physic and bleeding, is given in these 
directions hereafter. The complement of medicine given 
as a family stock, is more to show the simplicity of the 
articles, than the requisite quantity required. Give chil- 
dren drink often, sick or well. 

jc~p The public are cautioned against employing any 
one who shall pretend to use his own improvements with 
my System of Practice, as I will not fye accountable for. 
any mal-practice of his. 

Th' Emetic number one's design'd . 
A gen'ral med'cine for mankind, 
Of every country, clime, or place, 
Wide as the circle of our race. 

In every case, and state, and stage, 
Whatever malady may rage ; * 

For male or female, young or old, 
Nor can its value half be told. 

To use this med'cine do not cease, 
Till you are helped of your disease; 
For nature's friend, this sure will be, 
When you are taken sick at sea. 

Let number two be used as bold, 
To clear the stomach of the cold; 
Next steep the coffee, number three, 
And keep as warm as you can be. 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 153 

A hot stone at the feet now keep, 
As well as inward warmth repeat, 
The fountain 'bove the stream keep clear, 
And perspiration will appear. 

When sweat enough, as you suppose, 
In spirit wash, and change your clothes; 
Again to bed, both clean and white, 
And sleep in comfort all the night. 

Should the disorder reinforce, 
Then follow up the former course; 
The second time I think will do, 
The third to fail I seldom knew.' 

Now take your bitters by the way, 
Two, three, or four times in a day; 
Your appetite, if it be good, 
You may eat any kind of food. 

Physic, I would by no means choose 
To have you first or last to use; 
For if you take it much in course, 
It will disorder reinforce. 

If any one should be much bruis'd, 
Where bleeding frequently is used, 
A lively sweat upon that day, 
Will start the blood a better way. 

Let names of all disorders be 
Like to the limbs, join'd on a tree; 
Work on the root, and that subdue, 
Then all the limbs will bow to you. 

So as the bpdy is the tree, 
The limbs are cholic, pleurisy, 
Worms and gravel, gout and stone, 
Remove the cause, and they are gone. 

My system's founded on this truth, 

Man's Air and Water, Fire and Earth, 

And death is cold, and life is heat, 

These temper'd well, your health's complete. 



154 New Guide to Health; 

THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 

This practice is on the reverse principle from the 
practice of Physic,* being agreeable to nature, restoring 
the very principles "which physic destroys; for it opens 
obstructions, promotes perspiration, and restores diges- 
tion. These great objects are obtained by the most sim- 
ple medicines, all of which grow in the fields of nature. 
The three first numbers remove disease of all forms or 
symptoms by which it may appear; fevers of every color, 
as well as plagues caused by the physic of the doctor, 
under every name, ail, all are. removed by three articles 
brought to a unit in practice; viz. Lobelia, or as Dr. 
"Waterhouse calls it, Thomsonia emetica, Cayenne and 
Bayberry bark; t all made fine, and to be administered 
in a course of medicine, aided by steam. (Too simple 
to be believed.) Then prove it by the three witnesses 
I have named. The rule is proved to be a true one, by 
the remedy being effectual. Thrpp nnmhprs rpmnvo dis- 
ease, as I said before; and three numbers are restora- 
tives; viz. bitters in three forms, under three numbers, 
4, 5 and 6 ; these are correctors of the gall, in vulgar 
English, or bilis [bile] in modest Latin. [N. B. The ' 
most important remark, and most essential to be borne in 
mind by the practitioner, at all times, day or night, sum- 
mer or winter, is the difference between correcting and 
substituting!!!] 

If you correct the bile, the natural physic of the body 
is restored; if you substitute calomel and gallop [jalap] 
for gall, you will soon gallop your patient out of the 
• world, as all the learned doctors have done, since the 
days of Paracelsus, when he introduced poison minerals 
as substitutes for gall, which has caused all the plagues 
of the world, as is shown in the treatise on the practice 
of physic; the practice of physic being substituted for 
the practice of medicine; or physic for gall. 

Better late than never. A natural miracle wrought. 
A case of consumption, of one year's standing, cured by 
one course of medicine. See Wm. Raymond's, certifi- 

* S<?e Narrative, page 217. 

t This is essentia] to be used in all disease ; because the first 
effect of disease is canker, nnd this is the remedy for it : or it is 
. good as a preventive of canker. 



or, Botanic Family Physician, 155 

cate, of Beverly, page 188, inserted in full in the first edi- 
tion, and referred to in this. Another and greater mira- 
cle. A hundred days fever, and fevers of all colors, 
turned in from 24 to 48 hours, by the foregoing simple 
rule, correcting instead of substituting. Why does this 
simple correcting cure consumption, fevers, choleras, 
and all other diseases? Answer: Because the gall is a 
friend to nature, and an enemy to all human disease, 
whatever name the doctor may give it. Why is it so? 
The gall is the regulator and physic of the body, which, 
when kept well regulated, is so fortified that no cold can 
take place to cause disease. For the food is the fuel, 
and the gall is the fire to consume the food; which con- 
sumption of food will keep up that internal heat on which 
life depends. But by daily taking food into the stomach, 
like fuel in the fire-place, it may and often does like the 
chimney, become foul, and each one wants his physician 
with his appropriate remedies. The chimney sweeper 
with his brush and scraper for the one, and the Thomson- 
ian practitioner with his three numbers and steam for the 
other; and when each one has dona his duty, as a skil- 
ful physician can and will do, the fire-place will receive 
and consume the fuel, consequently the whole room be 
warmed as before: so, in the body, when the Thomson- 
ian has done his duty in clearing the stomach, promoting 
perspiration, and has restored the digestive powers, then 
will the stomach receive its natural required food, and 
the gall will digest it, whereby the heat, life, flesh, 
strength and vigor, are constantly kept up as his reward. 
Here, reader, is the simple difference, plain to your un- 
derstanding, between substituting and correcting the* 
bile. The gall is the regulator of the body, and the 
medicine is the key, to regulate this regulator; and if 
rightly regulated, your human machine will run until 
worn out by old age, the only cause of death, casualties 
excepted. By this rule, the cause of all disorder is be- 
fore you ; when the stomach grows foul and the food is 
not craved, and of course not received, the gall has noth- 
ing to perform, any more than the fire has when there is 
no fuel, of course the room grows cold; so in the body, 
when persons receive no food, the heat, and of course 
the life, runs down for want of the support from food; 



156 Neiv Guide to Health; 

this is the beginning of disease, and in the same ratio 
the end of life. This is consumption, or consuming for 
the want of support. If one Thomsonian course will an- 
swer all purposes for correcting the gall, and restoring 
the digestion, so that the appetite will crave food suffi- 
ciently, and the gall will digest it, then will one course 
of medicine cure consumption, as this is the only cause 
of consumption in nature, and the only certain cure for it. 

Here you see the cause of the success of Thomson's 
fools, (as they are called) ; if they keep in his track they 
will come out right in the end; for I have made the cal- 
culation of the cause of disease and the remedy, and if 
the directions are followed, they will answer the purpose 
I intended, whether iriy fool knows the cause or not; for 
skilful medicine is better, administered by my fool, than 
poison administered by the hand of a learned doctor. 

By these treatises on physic and medicine, the reader 
will see the cause why I do not order nor give any phy- 
sic, and why all who follow my directions are successful 
and yet cannot account for it; and also will be able to 
account for the bad success of those who pretend to im- 
prove on my system, by giving physic, as was exempli- 
fied by the improvement of H. Howard, at Columbus, 
Ohio; the consequence was, six out of eight of his own 
family, including himself, died with cholera mortification. 



A SHORT TREATISE 
ON THE LAWS OF LIFE AND MOTION. 

Clearly to understand the laws of life and motion, the 
radical principles of animalization is of infinite moment. 
Without some adequate views and conceptions of these, 
the nature of disease cannot be correctly understood, 
neither can we have knowledge to prescribe a rational, 
safe, sure and certain remedy for the removal of disease 
when found in the human system. 

Through many long and tedious seasons, these sub- 
jects had revolved in my mind, before I could form what 
I considered a correct opinion. I witnessed many dis- 
tresses in the family of man; my heart was pierced with 
many sorrows, until my mind was established in those 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 151 

simple truths that have laid the foundation of my prac- 
tice that has been so successful in subsequent years. 

Persecution raged against me — all the presses in the 
Gountry were closed against me — Priests, doctors, law- 
yers and legislators were combined against me — Ex post 
facto laws we*e put in operation — prosecutions commenc- 
ed — false witnesses arose — bigotry, prejudice and super- 
stition, like Salem witchcraft, waved their magic wand, 
but all in vain — -truth has prevailed. The darkness of 
the ancient philosophers is passing away, and those sim- 
ple truths, which are the genuine Philosophy of life, and 
the fruits of the labors of my life, begin to prosper be- 
yond my former expectations. 

As I have never been a man of extensive reading, and 
make no pretensions to school learning and book knowl- 
edge, if medical or philosophical writers have taught the 
same doctrines before me, it is what I am not apprised 
of. It is for the truth of the doctrine, and not for any 
claims of reputation as an original writer, that I would 
more strenuously contend. 

When Napoleon stood in arms and was acknowledged 
Emperor of France, the nations were frightened — when 
a prisoner, the kings of the earth trembled for fear of 
him — they dared not to suffer him to go at large on main 
land, but assigned him a more safe retreat in the solitudes 
of St. Helena. 

The writer is aware that the success of his system has 
carried equal terrors into the ranks of medical opposition. 
Their malice and persecution that brought him to the 
dungeon and chains, were the fruits of envy and fear. 
I have driven the College faculty to fly to law -legs to 
stand upon, because the strong tide of public opinion, 
confirmed by testimony, set so heavily against them, that 
they had no other way to rise over the steam doctors and 
keep them down. 

The difficulty appears to have been that the steam 
faculty were, in many instances, so inclined to receive 
instruction, that they became natural philosophers in faith 
and practice. Following nature, they were successful 
practitioners — they could relieve distress and remove dis- 
ease, when by the regular college doctors, hundreds 
were hurried to their long home. 
14 



158 New Guide to Health; 

The subject of life and motion is of great importance^ 
and should be first impressed on the mind of all who* 
intend to study the healing art. Unless this is first un- 
derstood, the whole business of practice will be at least 
uncertain. The principles of life in human or other an- 
imal bodies is the same ; all constitutions are alike, be- 
ing formed from the same materials, and all partaking of 
the four elements, earth, water, air and fire or heat. 

The component parts of all animal bodies are earth 
and water. These are the solids; fire and air are the 
fluids. Death and life are cold and heat. These form 
my text — a text never yet preached from by man, and 
yet a sermon was never preached without it. After ful- 
ly understanding both the text and the sermon, any ques-» 
tion on the cause of life and motion can be fully answer- 
ed; why a ship goes through the sea; a steamboat 
through the river; an eagle through the air; or a car- 
riage through the street. The cause of all these is con- 
tained in the principle of my text. But, what can the 
text be? It must be breathing, says one. But can 
breathing be the cause of life and motion? No. Breath- 
ing is an effect, not the cause. But heat, the cause of 
breathing, is the cause of life and motion. This there- 
fore is my text. Tlie cause of life and motion. 

First try the effect of heat, what is called caloric, or 
fire, on water. Suppose you put a skillet on the fire full 
of water; after putting it on a few minutes, put your 
hand in it; the warm water will be on the top, and the 
cold water will be at the bottom. The cause of this is, 
as fast as the water grows warm, it rises, and the heavier 
water settles at the bottom; and as it heats, it grows 
lighter, until it all becomes lively and active, called boil- 
ing, and thus will all fly away by steam or sweat. This 
is the effect of fire on water. 

We next try the effect of fire on air. Suppose a house 
built in an open field; the air fills all parts equally alike, 
the same as the surrounding atmosphere. There is no 
breathing. But close the doors and windows, and build 
a good fire, and as fast as the air grows light, the house 
begins to breathe ; every door and window is on the hum. 
The cause of this is, the fire lightens the air in the room, 
and the air outside of the house being colder, and of 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 159 

course heavier, presses in at every crack to form an 
equilibrium of weight; and as long as the fire continues 
to burn, the house will continue to breathe; but as fast 
as the fire decays, the noise of breathing ceases; and 
should the air be all taken out of the house at once, the 
weight outside would crush the house to pieces like a 
broken ess-shell. Thus it will be seen that fire, or what- 
ever produces heat, lightens air and water, causing them 
to expand, and hence causes breathing which always ac- 
companies life and motion. 

Thus the cause of breathing will be perceived. If 
there were no heat in the house, the house would not 
breathe; and also, if there were no heat in the body, the 
body would not breathe. All animal bodies breathe as 
long as they live; and when they die, it is said, they die 
for the want of breath. If you can find, or understand, 
what made them breathe while alive; it is very easy to 
find what made them leave off breathing. They had 
heat while alive; but no heat, or not sufficient heat to 
-continue the breathing, when dead. Here, therefore, is 
the cause, When the heat lightens the air in the lungs, 
the external air being heavier pressed out the light air 
and filled the lungs with fresh and heavy air; and the 
lungs will continue to contract and expand as long as the 
fire or heat continues; and when the heat goes out, the 
weight of the air comes to a slack or balance, inside and 
outside, and all motion ceases. This is a state of death. 

Thus I have shown the cause of breathing, and the 
cause of leaving off breathing, which is called dying, 
viz., the heat, which is kept up by the digestion or de- 
composition of food, lightens the air in the lungs, .and 
causes it to expand, and the cold air comes in to supply 
its place. Man has both the cause and the effect in him- 
self. 

All animal bodies move by the power of steam or heat ; 
the heat causing the lungs to expand, and the steam goes 
off with the breath, in part, and partly by the pores of 
the body in perspiration; and this steam engine carries 
its own pump, the pump of the heart, which pumps the 
blood through the arteries and returns it back through 
the veins which warms the whole body and limbs, and 
will continue as Ions ss the fire and water continue to 



160 New Guide to Health; 

perform their respective offices in the body, with a good 
Engineer to govern and take care of the ingenious and 
delicate machine. 

The fuel is next to be considered which continues the 
fire or life of all animal bodies. The food taken into the 
stomach is as fuel in the fire-place of the house or in the 
boiler of the steam-engine of life. The drink, or water 
taken, supplies the boiler whereby the steam is raised, 
which carries the pump of the heart. The same heat 
lightens the air in the lungs whereby the breath goes on 
regularly; the light air is thrown out and the heavy air 
pressed in, the same as in the house. In the body there 
is but one avenue ; so that the inhaling and exhaling of 
the air are through one and the same channel, half one 
way, and half the other. This is called the breathing 
of the engine within, which engine will continue to go, 
or move, as long as it is managed according to its na- 
ture and principle, or until it is worn out with old age, 
the only death incident to the machine or life of animal 
bodies; all others are untimely deaths, as hinted at by 
the wise man. " Thou fool, why shouldest thou die be- 
fore thy time?" 

The wicked do not live out half their days. And the 
ignorant suffer the same consequence by doctors, or by 
those who pretend to be engineers to keep your steam- 
engine of life in. order. Instead of applying proper 
fuel to continue the fire of life, they tap the boiler, draw 
out the hot water or blood, and throw in snow and ice, 
or mercury, arsenic, antimony, nitre, &c. Down goes 
your boat in the prime of life, destruction and death 
caused by learned fools, who know not the cause of life 
and motion any more than as though they never possess- 
ed a human body. Here the fool has led the fool into 
the ditch until it is full and running over. 

Who cannot see, by the foregoing principle of life, as 
here laid down, that mankind are killed as untimely as 
the beasts, and nearly as many of them, even before the 
noon of life? This is caused by the force of education, 
which has made them more ignorant than the beasts; for 
the beasts were never known to kill off each other in so 
ignorant and ridiculous a manner. Look; then choose 
school-masters among the beasts, and learn wisdom, and 



or j Bjlanic Family Physician, 161 

prolong your lives; and not sacrifice each other as you 
do the beasts, and as many of them, for no purpose un- 
less it be to get rid of them, as you would mad dogs, and 
then throw them in heaps to rot in like manner. Wheth- 
er this sacrifice of human life is done through ignorance, 
or design, it is the same with regard to its victims; the 
loss of life is the same. Is there no way to remedy such 
evils? Look, weep, and tremble!!! 

I return to the cause of life and motion. Besides ani- 
mal life, there is the life of vegetables, which, to a cer- 
tain extent is under control of the same principles as that 
of animal life. Without earth, water, fire, and air, no 
vegetation can exist. In the winter season there is a 
state of death in proportion to the loss of heat, or a sus- 
pension of life. In the spring, a new birth is given, not 
only to vegetation, but to insects. Reptiles of the dust 
also rise from a state of silence or suspended animation, 
to a state of life and vigor.' Heat in this case is not on- 
ly an agent of life, but it is in fact life itself. So, in the 
reverse case, cold is not only a proximation to death, 
but it is death itself. Heat will not act alone, but in ac- 
cordance with the other elements, without which there is 
no life, neither animal nor vegetable. Neither could 
there be any action in the other elements without it. 
For instance, let the element of fire be taken out of the 
other elements, and they would all be silent; all life 
would be swallowed up in death; the earth and sea would 
be frozen to one solid mass of substance, as one solid rock ; 
the air would be as silent as the other two elements — a 
total state of death. Pause, doctors! Look back on 
your cold patients! While looking on the cold corpse 
of the elements, when the God of nature has withdrawn 
his attributes of heat, light and life; then conclude, and 
say to thyself, "Have I cultivated the heat of my pa- 
tients to prolong their lives, or have I drawn out their 
blood, as does the butcher the blood of the beast to kill, 
which has produced the same effect?" Look at your 
cholera patients who have been bled and the requisite 
dose of brandy, opium and mercury given; their extrem- 
ities and breath nearly cold; and then answer the ques- 
tion to your own conscience and to your God. The 
question is, what has killed or destroyed them?!! 
14* 



162 New Guide to Health; 

Study of Anatomy, or the Skeleton in its Natural Dress, 

This view of the skeleton has been almost totally ne- 
glected. The study of a live anatomy has scarcely en- 
tered the mind of the anatomist; but the dead one has 
been thoroughly examined, and also how to make them. 
But the study of the live anatomy, and how to keep it 
alive, is yet a dark subject to the learned; but to the il- 
literate, it is plain and simple. The constitutions of all 
mankind are essentially alike; they have similar solids 
and fluids, viz. bones, cartilages, tendons, nerves, veins, 
arteries, flesh, blood and other juices; bodies and parts 
or members; and all are sustained in as similar a manner 
as their formation, from the earth and the other elements, 
the common mother of us all. Man is composed of the 
elements, and by the same elements he is supported. A 
state of perfect health arises from a due proportion of 
these elements; and when this is by any means de- 
stroyed, the body is more or less disordered, and there 
is always in the first instance an actual diminution of the 
element of fire, heat, or life; and it is produced by its 
opposite, cold or death. Heat may be denominated life 
itself, the best physician of the body; and whoever has 
not studied the living anatomy is not qualified to be a 
physician of value, or to kindle up the decaying spark 
of heat or life; but such a one will be like those of 
the present day, u forgers of lies and physicians of no 
value." 

When I studied the live anatomy of my own body, I 
observed when I was mowing, or making hay, and the 
sun came the nearest being directly over my head, I 
found I had the most heat, most life, most sensation, and 
most ambition. Here was my college ; here was my book 
open; here was the god of nature, my President and In- 
structor; here I graduated; here I got my diploma. 
Here I come before the world to prove the facts and in- 
struct others in the true principles of anatomy of human 
life, and how to restore the decaying spark of life in suf- 
fering humanity. The book is open, the lesson plain to 
common sense, of what is life, and what is death. There 
is no mistake with those who have studied this anatomy, 
as laid down in this book of nature. Taught by this 



or, Botanic Family Physician. 163 

President, and having received a diploma from his un- 
erring hand, I speak with confidence, believing that there 
can be no mistake in the rules as taught in this school 
of Anatomy. Here are the principles of life, and even 
life itself. 

The next lesson is to know the symptoms when this 
principle begins to decay or move onward towards death. 
The patient complains, " I have? got a bad cold." Here 
death begins, and will continue until the patient is all 
cold, unless checked by heat or fever, nature's friend. 
Strange to tell ! Can fever, or heat, be a friend to life ? ! ! 
Surely. Remember when I was at college, making hay, 
and studying anatomy in its most lively form with the 
meridian sun over my head, when I had the most life, 
sensation and ambition. Was not this condition life it- 
self? If so, restore the patient who has got cold, or lost 
his heat, which is the same thing, as soon as possible, to 
the same condition as he was when the sun was over his 
head; open the obstructions caused by cold; promote 
perspiration; take off canker;, and restore digestion, so 
that the food may keep up that heat on which life de- 
pends, and let all the people say, Amen. Glory to the 
God of Nature, President of this college. 



Heat, the Moving Principle of Life and Motion. 

The rays of light reflect back heat, and steam, which 
rises to a certain height where the atmosphere settles, 
or the reflection of the sun meets it, and condenses the 
steam taken from the earth, which makes clouds or fog; 
and the hotter the day the higher will this reflection rise, 
and the more sudden will be the shower, and the heavier 
will be the wind. The greater the space lightened by 
heat, the greater will be the drift of the cold and damp 
wind until the space is equalized. By this effect of heat 
lightening air and water all the motion of the elements is 
caused; without heat there would be no motion, as be- 
fore stated; all space must be filled either with air or 
water to form an equilibrium. When heat lightens any 
space of air, the adjoining air will move in to make the 
space equal.* This causes the blowing of the wind; and 



164 New Guide to Health; 

the more sudden the space is made, the more rapid will 
be the blowing of the wind. In some places it is so 
great it is called a hurricane, especially in the West In- 
dies. Where the heat is great, the wind drives in pro- 
portion, until the space is filled. So on, by the same 
rule, from the smallest breeze to the greatest blow, the 
noise is in proportion to the weight and swiftness of the 
current. The greatest* drift or current of air, and the 
greatest report, is that of lightning. The space is made 
so sudden by the fluid passing with such speed, and the 
air is so suddenly expanded, that the adjoining air fills 
the space, it only makes one sudden crack, and the space 
is filled. The same with the report of a cannon, the air 
is broken by the drift of the fire through the air, and the 
adjoining air filling the space, makes the report. 



CAUTIOI. 

tCJ* Those who have family rights are hereby caution- 
ed against being imposed upon by spurious or adulterat- 
ed articles, under the name of Thomsonian Medicine, as 
Wine Bitters, Cholera Syrup, Cholera Preventive, fyc.fyc, 
which, although they may have some value, yet, still, 
they are rather an imposition on the public than other- 
wise. One ounce of Spice Bitters, 12 1-2 cents, contains 
all the real value there is in a bottle of wine bitters; and 
hot water, sweetened, is better to take them in than wine, 
and at the same time it is not likely to lead to intemper- 
ance under the idea of taking medicine. So also, No. 6, 
or hot drops, in baybrrry tea, sweetened, is a better Cho- 
lera Preventive than the same articles in rum and molasses, 
and may be had at less than one half the price. 

N.B. Cough Powder, as mentioned on page 85, which 
was intended to have been expunged, is not necessary in 
any case. All the powders are cough powders, as they 
are loosening, particularly the Composition, and the more 
the whole practice is simplified the better. 



The following address to the public was appended to the " Sup- 
plement to the Narrative" in the former edition of this work ; 
buL to make room for the Treatise on the " Practice of Physic," 
published in the present edition, it was thought proper to trans- 
pose it. 

TO THE PUBLIC. 

Friends of Humanity! You have seen by the fore- 
going Narrative, the labors, the trials, the persecutions, 
as well as the anxieties and vexations, which the author 
has experienced in bringing his System of Medical Prac- 
tice to the state of perfection to which it has arrived; 
and also in laying it fairly before the public; trials that 
would have broken down many hearts, and worn out, 
long before this, many constitutions. 

You have seen the system growing into practice, in 
spite of all opposition; not only against the inveterate 
hate of the doctors, but also against legal enactments; 
and that it is calculated to put to silence, and even to 
the blush, every species of opposition with all those who 
shall give it a fair trial. You have also seen those, after 
having tested the virtues of the system, and proved its 
value, who have been not only ready to rob Dr. Thomson 
of his hard earned reputation, and fair meed of praise, 
but also to build themselves up at his expense. All this 
you have seen, and much more. And it now remains 
to be seen, whether either you, or the public, will any 
longer patronize, any longer uphold, any longer coun- 
tenance, either directly or indirectly, such iniquity, such 
ingratitude, such shame-faced hypocrisy! How much 
better a person must feel, to act in an open and honora- 
ble way! And were you sure that you could purchase 
the same thjng, or nearly the same thing, of those who 
have no right to sell it, and might even use it with im- 
punity, would you, for the sake of a few dollars, obtain 
it clandestinely, and thus rob the patentee of his just 
rights.' It may be thought, perhaps, that Dr. Thomson 



166 Conclusion. 

has already become rich by his patent, and therefore can 
well afford to sustain these losses. Were this the fact, 
it is no good reason why he should be robbed. But you 
must consider the immense expense he has been at, and 
is still liable to bear, to defend his system of practice 
against legal enactments, and unfounded complaints; to- 
gether with the losses he has sustained by unfaithful 
agents. This is a constant drawback upon his income. 
The defence of his legal prosecutions, and those of his 
agents, in far distant and remote states, as well as in 
almost every state in the Union, as in South Carolina, 
not long since; his answers to various slanders by hand- 
bills, the only way, at one time, that he could obtain any 
thing from the press in his favor, even for pay; and his 
various travels from the Eastern to the Western States, 
and from the North to the South; all, all these, and much 
more, are -constant out-goes upon what should, and did 
the public duly appreciate the value of his system, other- 
wise would be his fair and honest gains. But he has one 
consolation. His system will live to bless mankind, and 
his name will live with it, yea, be hailed with gratitude, 
when Dr. Thomson shall be no more. Cold comfort 
this; when the subject or object of their gratitude shall 
be in his grave! Yet even this is better than nothing; 
and to know now, or to be firmly persuaded that such 
will be the fact, must afford some present peace, yea, a 
heart-felt satisfaction. But I hope that it is not too late 
to do the subject of this Narrative justice, even in some 
measure, at least, now while he lives; to make the eve 
of his life as comfortable and happy as human nature, 
in a person of his years, is susceptible of being; and I 
can assure him and the public, that whatever I can do to 
bring about an event so just, and at the same time so 
desirable, shall be faithfully and cheerfully performed; 
for all that my life is now worth, either to myself, my 
family, or the public, I consider that both I and they are 
wholly indebted to the Thojvxsonian System of practice. 
And it is with much pleasure that I here once more have 
the opportunity of acknowledging the gratitude, and 
pledging the faithfulness of his and the public's humble 
servant, ABNER KNEEL AND, 

General Agent for Dr. Samuel Thomson. 



II¥BEX 
To the Mew Guide to Health* 



Ague in the Face, 
American Valerian, 
Archangel, 
Balm of Gilead, 
Balsam of Fir, 
Barberry, 
Bayberry, 
Black Pepper, 
Bitter Herb, 
Bitter Root, 
Bittersweet, 
Birch Bark, 
Bitter Thistle, 
Bitters, 
Bleeding, 
Bile, (see No. 4.) 
Bilious Cholic, 
Burdock, 
Butternut, 
Burns, 

Bones, how set, 
Camphor, 
Cayenne, 
Cancers, 
Cancer Plaster, 
Canker Sores, 
Chamomile, 
Cherry Stones, 
Clivers, 

Composition Powders, 
Cough, 

Chicken Broth, 
Consumption, 
Counter-Poison, (see No. 
Course of Medicine, 
Corns, 

Description of Disease, 
Directions for preparing 
Vegetable Medicine, 
Drowned Persons, 
Dropsy, 
Dysentery, 



Page. 




Page, 


J 10 


Elecampane^ 


69 


66 


Elm Bark, 


72 


76 


Emetic Herb, 


39,78 


74 


Evan Root, 


72 


73 


Featherfew, 


71 


61 


Felons, 


95 


55 


Fevers, 


12 


54 


Fits, 


121 


60 


Fever and Ague, 


85 


61 


Gentian, 


73 


70 


General Directions, 


89 


72 


Gravel, 


122 


78 


Ginger, 


53 


82 


Golden Seal, 


62 


108 


Gout, 


125 




Golden Rod, 


76 


123 


Headache, 


126 


70 


Hemlock Bark, 


56 


75 


Hoarhound, 


68 


97 


Horseradish, 


74 


no 


Injections, 


87 


65 


Introduction, 


5 


49, §0 


Internal Heat, (see No. 


o\ 


103 


Itch, 


■ 7», 84 


85 


Jaundice, 


115 


103 


Ladies' Slipper, 


66 


69 


Lock-jaw, 


46 


63 


Lily Root, 


56 


71 


Measles, 


112 


84 


Marshrosemary, 


57 


114 


Mayweed, 


69 


94 


Milk Porridge, 


94 


120 


Myrrh, 


64 


. 1.) 


Mullen, 


70 


22, 80 


Mustard, 


74 


127 


Meadow Fern, 


77 


95 


Mortification of Limbs^ 


99 




Muscles, how relaxed, 


110 


79 


Mad Dog, (see No. 1.) 




92 


Midwifery, 


130 


122 


Nerve Powder, 


66 


124 


Preparation of do. 


84 



168 



Index to the Guide to Health* 



«$ 



Page. 

Nervine, (see Nerve Powder.) 



Nettle Spring, 




121 


Nerve Ointment, 




86 


Ne. 1. Emetic Herb. 


de- 




scription of, 




38 


Prepaiation of do. 




79 


No. 2. Cayenne, descrip- 




tion of, 




49 


Preparation of do. 




80 


No. 3. To remove Canker, 


description of Articles 


for that purpose, 




54 


Preparation of. do. 




80 


No. 4. Bitters to correct the 


Bile, description c 


)f A 


r- 


tides for that purpose 


, 69 


Preparation of do. 




82 


No. 5. Syrup for the 


D> 


s- 


entery, description 


of 


the Articles used, 




63 


Preparation of do. 




82 


No. 6. Rheumatic Drop 


s j 


description of Ai 


tides 


used, 




64 


Preparation of do. 




83 


Peach Meats, 




63 


Peppermint, 




67 


Pennyroyal, 




68 


Pipsisway, 




76 


Pleurisy, 




123 


Poisons, 




26 


Poison by Ivy, &c. 




112 


Poplar Bark, 




60 


Prickly Ash, 




77 


Poultice, 




86 


Piles, 




106 


Remarks on Fevers, 




12 


Relax, 




124 


Red Peppers, 




53 


Red Raspberry, 




69 


Rheumatism, 




126 


Rheumatic Drops, 




64 


Rheumatic Weed, 




76 


Ruptures, 




109 


Salve, 




85 


Scalds, 




96 


Scalt Headsj 




107 


Small Pox, 




113 


Sore Lips, 




126 


Sore Eyes, 




126 


Sore Breasts, 




107 



Page, 
70 



Skunk Cabbage, 

Slippery Elm Bark, 

Snake Root, 

Steaming, 

Sumach, 

Squaw Weed, 

Spirits of Turpentine, 

Spearmint, 

Summersavory, 

Syrup, 

Strengthening Plaster, 

Stock of Medicine, 

St. Anthony's Fire, 

Strangury, 

Surfeit, 

Tansy, 

Thoroughwort, 

Umbil, (see Nerve Powder.) 

Venereal, 127 

Volatile Salts, 86 

Vegetable Powder, 84 

Vervine, white and blue, 75 

Vegetable Medicine, de- 
scription of, 

Witch Hazle, 

Wormwood, 

Wakerobin, 

Worms, 

Yellow Dock, 

Supplement, 

Midwifery, further remarks 

on, 
Extraordinary case of, 
Do. in Saratoga Co. N. Y. 
Do. in Columbus, Ohio, 
False Conception, case of 
Outlines of Travail, 
Supplement to the Venereal, 147 
Supplement to Small Pox, 148 
Why do people die, &c. 149 
How Doctors shorten, &c. 149 
Seamen's Directions, 152 

Practice of Medicine, 154 

Treatise on Life and Motion 156 
Study of Anatomy, &c. 162 
Heat the Moving Princi- 
ple, &c. 163 
Caution, 164 
Wine Bitters, &c< 164 
Conclusion, 165 
To the Public> 166 



11 



20 

57 

59 

65 

67 

68 

82 

86 

88 

121 

122 

121 

69 

71 



37 
58 
69 
70 

116 
77 

133 

134 
137 
139 
140 
141 
145 



